Meritage Homes CORP false 0000833079 0000833079 2024-05-06 2024-05-06

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 6, 2024

 

 

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   1-9977   86-0611231

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

18655 North Claret Drive, Suite 400, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

(480) 515-8100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock $.01 par value   MTH   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


ITEM 1.01

ENTRY INTO MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT

Indenture and Notes

On May 9, 2024, Meritage Homes Corporation (“Meritage” or the “Company”) issued $575 million aggregate principal amount of 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”), which includes the exercise in full of the $75 million option granted to the initial purchasers of the Notes (the “Initial Purchasers”), pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of May 9, 2024 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors from time to time party thereto (as defined below) and Regions Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Notes bear interest at a rate of 1.75% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2024. The Notes will mature on May 15, 2028, unless earlier converted or repurchased.

The Notes are jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’s (or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s (as defined below)) subsidiaries from time to time guaranteeing the Company’s 6.00% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”), 5.125% Senior Notes due 2027 and 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029, that is a guarantor or obligor under the Company’s amended and restated credit agreement, dated as of June 13, 2014 and amended from time to time or that is a guarantor or obligor with respect to any Refinancing Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The guarantees are subject to limitations under applicable laws and may be released under specified circumstances.

The initial conversion rate of the Notes is 4.3048 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $232.30 per share). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the Indenture but will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, upon the occurrence of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change (as defined in the Indenture), the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate by a number of additional shares described in the Indenture for a holder who elects to convert its Notes in connection with such Make-Whole Fundamental Change.

Holders may convert their notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding February 15, 2028 only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2024 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the Trading Price (as defined in the Indenture) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events as described in the Indenture. On or after February 15, 2028 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes, holders may convert all or any portion of their Notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. Conversions of the will be settled in cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be converted and cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, at the Company’s election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of its conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being converted.

The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to the maturity date.

 


Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change (as defined in the Indenture) prior to the maturity date of the Notes, subject to certain conditions and except as described in the Indenture, holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their Notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (as defined in the Indenture).

The Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; equal in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness, if any, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes.

The Indenture contains customary terms and covenants. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Notes to be due and payable. In case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company, 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes will automatically become due and payable immediately.

As discussed below under “Capped Call Transactions”, the Company used a portion of the $557.8 million of net proceeds from the Notes offering, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, to pay the cost of the Capped Call Transactions (as defined below). The Company also intends to use approximately $250.6 million of the net proceeds from the Notes offering to redeem all of the Company’s outstanding 2025 Notes and expects to use the remainder of the net proceeds from the Notes offering for general corporate purposes.

The above description of the Indenture and the Notes is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture and the Form of 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028, which are filed as Exhibit 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Capped Call Transactions

On May 6, 2024, in connection with the pricing of the Notes, the Company entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the “Base Capped Call Transactions”) with one or more affiliates of the Initial Purchasers and certain other financial institutions (the “Option Counterparties”). In addition, on May 7, 2024, in connection with the Initial Purchasers’ exercise in full of their option to purchase additional Notes, the Company entered into additional capped call transactions (the “Additional Capped Call Transactions,” and together with the Base Capped Call Transactions, the “Capped Call Transactions”) with each of the Option Counterparties. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the Notes offering to pay the cost of the Capped Call Transactions. The Capped Call Transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the Common Stock upon conversion of any Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap based on the cap price of the Capped Call Transactions. The cap price of the Capped Call Transactions will initially be $350.64 per share, which represents a premium of 100% over the last reported sale price of the Common Stock of $175.32 per share on May 6, 2024, and is subject to certain adjustments under the terms of the Capped Call Transactions.


The Capped Call Transactions are separate transactions entered into by the Company with each of the Option Counterparties, are not part of the terms of the Notes and will not change the holders’ rights under the Notes or the Indenture. Holders of the Notes will not have any rights with respect to the Capped Call Transactions.

The description of the Capped Call Transactions above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of the base capped call confirmation and the form of additional capped call confirmation relating to the Capped Call Transactions, which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 2.03

CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION UNDER AN OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT

The terms and conditions of the Notes and Indenture described in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 3.02

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

As described in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, on May 9, 2024, the Company issued $575 million aggregate principal amount of Notes to the Initial Purchasers, in a private placement pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company expects to pay an estimated aggregate amount of $17.2 million of offering expenses in connection with the transaction, including the Initial Purchasers’ discount.

The Company offered and sold the Notes to the Initial Purchasers in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The Initial Purchasers are initially offering the Notes to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers” pursuant to an exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Company relied on this exemption from registration based in part on representations made by the Initial Purchasers.

The Notes and Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The Company does not intend to file a registration statement for the resale of the Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes. Initially, a maximum of 3,279,685 shares of Common Stock may be issued upon conversion of the Notes, based on a maximum conversion rate of 5.7038 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustment provisions.

The disclosure set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report are incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 7.01

REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On May 9, 2024, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the Notes offering. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.



SIGNATURES

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

Dated: May 9, 2024

 

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION

/s/   Hilla Sferruzza

By:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION,

as the Company

EACH OF THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

as Subsidiary Guarantors

AND

REGIONS BANK,

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of May 9, 2024

1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

     PAGE  
ARTICLE 1   
DEFINITIONS   

Section 1.01. Definitions

     1  

Section 1.02. References to Interest

     15  
ARTICLE 2   
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES   

Section 2.01. Designation and Amount

     15  

Section 2.02. Form of Notes

     15  

Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts

     16  

Section 2.04. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes

     18  

Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary

     18  

Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes

     25  

Section 2.07. Temporary Notes

     26  

Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc.

     27  

Section 2.09. CUSIP Numbers

     27  

Section 2.10. Additional Notes; Repurchases

     27  
ARTICLE 3   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   

Section 3.01. Satisfaction and Discharge

     28  
ARTICLE 4   
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY   

Section 4.01. Payment of Principal and Interest

     28  

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     29  

Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office

     29  

Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent

     29  

Section 4.05. Existence

     31  

Section 4.06. Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports

     31  

Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

     34  

Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults

     34  

Section 4.09. Further Instruments and Acts

     35  

Section 4.10. Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions Representations

     35  

Section 4.11. Additional Subsidiary Guarantors

     35  


ARTICLE 5   
LISTS OF HOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE   

Section 5.01. Lists of Holders

     35  

Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists

     36  
ARTICLE 6   
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   

Section 6.01. Events of Default

     36  

Section 6.02. Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment

     38  

Section 6.03. Additional Interest

     38  

Section 6.04. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor

     39  

Section 6.05. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee

     41  

Section 6.06. Proceedings by Holders

     42  

Section 6.07. Proceedings by Trustee

     43  

Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing

     43  

Section 6.09. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders

     43  

Section 6.10. Notice of Defaults

     44  

Section 6.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs

     44  
ARTICLE 7   
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE   

Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

     44  

Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc.

     46  

Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc.

     48  

Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar May Own Notes

     48  

Section 7.05. Monies and Shares of Common Stock to Be Held in Trust

     48  

Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee

     48  

Section 7.07. Officer’s Certificate as Evidence

     49  

Section 7.08. Eligibility of Trustee

     50  

Section 7.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee

     50  

Section 7.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee

     51  

Section 7.11. Succession by Merger, Etc.

     52  

Section 7.12. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company

     52  
ARTICLE 8   
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS   

Section 8.01. Action by Holders

     53  

Section 8.02. Proof of Execution by Holders

     53  

Section 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners

     53  

Section 8.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded

     53  

Section 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound

     54  

 

2


ARTICLE 9   
HOLDERS’ MEETINGS   

Section 9.01. Purpose of Meetings

     54  

Section 9.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee

     55  

Section 9.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders

     55  

Section 9.04. Qualifications for Voting

     55  

Section 9.05. Regulations

     55  

Section 9.06. Voting

     56  

Section 9.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting

     56  
ARTICLE 10   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   

Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     57  

Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     58  

Section 10.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     59  

Section 10.04. Notation on Notes

     59  

Section 10.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee

     59  
ARTICLE 11   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE   

Section 11.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms

     60  

Section 11.02. Successor Corporation to Be Substituted

     60  

Section 11.03. Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee

     61  
ARTICLE 12   
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS   

Section 12.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations

     61  
ARTICLE 13   
GUARANTEES   

Section 13.01. Guarantees

     62  

Section 13.02. Execution and Delivery of the Guarantee

     63  

Section 13.03. Limitation of Guarantee

     63  

Section 13.04. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor

     64  

Section 13.05. Waiver of Subrogation

     64  

Section 13.06. Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Conveyance and Lease of the Subsidiary Guarantors

     65  
ARTICLE 14   
CONVERSION OF NOTES   

Section 14.01. Conversion Privilege

     66  

Section 14.02. Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion

     69  

 

3


Section 14.03. Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes      72  
Section 14.04. Adjustment of Conversion Rate      75  
Section 14.05. Adjustments of Prices      84  
Section 14.06. Shares to Be Fully Paid      84  
Section 14.07. Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock      84  
Section 14.08. Certain Covenants      87  
Section 14.09. Responsibility of Trustee and any other Conversion Agent      87  
Section 14.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions      88  
Section 14.11. Stockholder Rights Plans      88  
Section 14.12. Exchange in Lieu of Conversion      89  
ARTICLE 15   
REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS   
Section 15.01. [Intentionally Omitted]      89  
Section 15.02. Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change      89  
Section 15.03. Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice      93  
Section 15.04. Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price      93  
Section 15.05. Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes      94  
ARTICLE 16   
NO REDEMPTION   
Section 16.01. No Redemption      94  
ARTICLE 17   
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS   
Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Company’s Successors      94  
Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation      95  
Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc.      95  
Section 17.04. Governing Law; Jurisdiction      96  
Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee      96  
Section 17.06. Legal Holidays      97  
Section 17.07. No Security Interest Created      97  
Section 17.08. Benefits of Indenture      97  
Section 17.09. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.      97  
Section 17.10. Authenticating Agent      97  
Section 17.11. Execution in Counterparts      98  
Section 17.12. Severability      98  
Section 17.13. Waiver of Jury Trial      98  
Section 17.14. Force Majeure      99  
Section 17.15. Calculations      99  
Section 17.16. USA PATRIOT Act      99  
Section 17.17. Electronic Signatures      99  
Section 17.18. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act      100  

 

4


EXHIBIT

     

Exhibit A

  

Form of Note

     A-1  

Exhibit B

  

Form of Supplemental Indenture to be Delivered by Subsequent Subsidiary Guarantors

     B-1  

 

 

5


INDENTURE dated as of May 9, 2024 among MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation, as issuer (the “Company,” as more fully set forth in Section 1.01), the Subsidiary Guarantors (as more fully set forth in Section 1.01) and REGIONS BANK, an Alabama banking corporation, as trustee (the “Trustee,” as more fully set forth in Section 1.01).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”), initially in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $575,000,000 and in order to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture and the Guarantees hereunder; and

WHEREAS, the Form of Note, the certificate of authentication to be borne by each Note, the Form of Notice of Conversion, the Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice and the Form of Assignment and Transfer to be borne by the Notes are to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent, as in this Indenture provided, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the execution of this Indenture and the issuance hereunder of the Notes have in all respects been duly authorized.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, each of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Notes (except as otherwise provided below), as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.“


2025 Notes” means the Company’s 6.00% Senior Notes due 2025 issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of June 2, 2015, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and Regions Bank, as successor trustee, as amended prior to the date hereof and as the same may be further amended or supplemented from time to time.

2027 Notes” means the Company’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2027 issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of June 6, 2017, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and Regions Bank, as successor trustee, as amended prior to the date hereof and as the same may be further amended or supplemented from time to time.

2029 Notes” means the Company’s 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of April 15, 2021, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and Regions Bank, as trustee, as amended prior to the date hereof and as the same may be further amended or supplemented from time to time.

Additional Interest” means all amounts, if any, accruing or payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d), Section 4.06(e) (including any Deferred Additional Interest) and Section 6.03, as applicable.

Additional Shares” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).

Adjusted Net Assets” of a Subsidiary Guarantor at any date means the lesser of the amount by which (x) the fair value of the property of such Subsidiary Guarantor exceeds the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities), but excluding liabilities under the Guarantee, of such Subsidiary Guarantor at such date and (y) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor at such date exceeds the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Subsidiary Guarantor on its debts and all other fixed and contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities and after giving effect to any collection from any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee), excluding indebtedness in respect of its Guarantee, as they become absolute and matured.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the determination of whether one Person is an “Affiliate” of another Person for purposes of this Indenture shall be made based on the facts at the time such determination is made or required to be made, as the case may be, hereunder.

 

2


Applicable Law” shall have the meaning specified in Section 17.18.

Authorized Officers” shall have the meaning specified in Section 17.17.

Bid Solicitation Agent” means the Company or the Person appointed by the Company to solicit bids for the Trading Price of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(i). The Company shall initially act as the Bid Solicitation Agent.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.

Capital Stock” means, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity, but shall not include any debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for any securities otherwise constituting Capital Stock pursuant to this definition.

Cash Percentage” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iii).

Clause A Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Clause B Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Clause C Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

close of business” means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Equity” of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled (a) if such Person is a corporation, to vote in the election of directors of such Person or (b) if such Person is not a corporation, to vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person.

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, as of the date of this Indenture, subject to Section 14.07.

Company” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and subject to the provisions of Article 11, shall include its successors and assigns.

 

3


Company Order” means a written order of the Company, signed by (a) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive or Senior Vice President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”) and (b) any such other Officer designated by the Officers designated in clause (a) of this definition or the Company’s Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

Conversion Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.

Conversion Consideration” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.12(a).

Conversion Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(c).

Conversion Obligation” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).

Conversion Price” means as of any time, $1,000, divided by the Conversion Rate as of such time.

Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).

Corporate Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(iii).

Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee in the contiguous United States at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at Regions Bank, 10245 Centurion Parkway, 2nd Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32256, Attention: Corporate Trust Services, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the designated corporate trust office of any successor trustee (or such other address as such successor trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 13, 2014 (as amended prior to the date hereof and as it may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, refinanced or replaced from time to time) among the Company, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as assignee from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent on behalf of the Lenders (as such term is defined therein), and the Lenders party thereto.

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

Daily Conversion Value” means, for each of the 50 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, 2% of the product of (a) the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day and (b) the Daily VWAP for such Trading Day.

 

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Daily Net Settlement Amount” means, for each of the 50 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period:

(a) if the Company does not elect a Cash Percentage or the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) a Cash Percentage of 0% as set forth herein, a number of shares of the Common Stock equal to (i) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value and $20, divided by (ii) the Daily VWAP for such Trading Day;

(b) if the Company elects a Cash Percentage of 100% as set forth herein, cash in an amount equal to the difference between the Daily Conversion Value and $20; or

(c) if the Company elects a Cash Percentage of less than 100% but greater than 0% as set forth herein, (i) cash equal to the product of (x) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value and $20 and (y) the Cash Percentage, plus (ii) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (x) (A) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value and $20, divided by (B) the Daily VWAP for such Trading Day and (y) 100% minus the Cash Percentage.

Daily Settlement Amount,” for each of the 50 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, shall consist of:

(a) cash in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $20 and (ii) the Daily Conversion Value on such Trading Day; and

(b) if the Daily Conversion Value on such Trading Day exceeds $20, the Daily Net Settlement Amount.

Daily VWAP” means, for each of the 50 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “MTH <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of the Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company). The “Daily VWAP” shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

De-Legending Deadline” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.06(e)(i).

Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Amounts” means any amounts on any Note (including, without limitation, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, principal and interest) that are payable but are not punctually paid or duly provided for.

Deferred Additional Interest” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.06(e)(ii).

Depositary” means, with respect to each Global Note, the Person specified in Section 2.05(c) as the Depositary with respect to such Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such successor depositary pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor depositary.

 

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Designated Financial Institution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.12(a).

Distributed Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Effective Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c), except that, as used in Section 14.04 and Section 14.05, “Effective Date” means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, any alternative trading convention on the applicable exchange or market in respect of shares of the Common Stock under a separate ticker symbol or CUSIP number will not be considered “regular way” for this purpose.

Electronic Means” shall have the meaning specified in Section 17.17.

Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

Ex-Dividend Date” means the first date on which shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market. For the avoidance of doubt, any alternative trading convention on the applicable exchange or market in respect of shares of the Common Stock under a separate ticker symbol or CUSIP number will not be considered “regular way” for this purpose.

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Election” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.12(a).

Exempted Fundamental Change” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(e).

Form of Assignment and Transfer” means the “Form of Assignment and Transfer” attached as Attachment 3 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” means the “Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” attached as Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Form of Note” means the form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Form of Notice of Conversion” means the “Form of Notice of Conversion” attached as Attachment 1 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

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Fundamental Change” shall be deemed to have occurred at the time after the Notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs:

(a) except in connection with transactions described in clause (b) below, a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, its direct or indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and the employee benefit plans of the Company and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, has become, and files a Schedule TO (or any successor schedule, form or report) or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act that discloses that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of shares of the Common Stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Common Stock, unless such beneficial ownership arises solely as a result of a revocable proxy delivered in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act and is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D (or any successor schedule) or Schedule 13G (or any successor schedule) under the Exchange Act regardless of whether such a filing has actually been made; provided that no person or group shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such “person” or “group” until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange under such offer;

(b) the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than a change to par value, or from par value to no par value, or changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one or more of the Company’s direct or indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction described in clause (A) or clause (B) in which the holders of all classes of the Company’s Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of Common Equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions (relative to each other) as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a Fundamental Change pursuant to this clause (b);

(c) the stockholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(d) the Common Stock (or other common stock underlying the Notes) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors);

 

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provided, however, that a transaction or transactions described in clause (b) above shall not constitute a Fundamental Change, if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by the common stockholders of the Company, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of common stock that are listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions the Notes become convertible into such consideration, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights (subject to the provisions of Section 14.02(a)). If any transaction in which the Common Stock is replaced by the common stock or other Common Equity of another entity occurs, following completion of any related Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period (or, in the case of a transaction that would have been a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change but for the proviso immediately following clause (d) of this definition, following the effective date of such transaction), references to the Company in this definition shall instead be references to such other entity.

Fundamental Change Company Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(b).

Fundamental Change Repurchase Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).

Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(b)(i).

Fundamental Change Repurchase Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).

The terms “given”, “mailed”, “notify” or “sent” with respect to any notice to be given to a Holder pursuant to this Indenture, shall mean notice (x) given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices or procedures at the Depositary (in the case of a Global Note) or (y) mailed to such Holder by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register (in the case of a Physical Note), in each case, in accordance with Section 17.03. Notice so “given” shall be deemed to include any notice to be “mailed” or “delivered,” as applicable, under this Indenture.

Global Note” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b).

Guarantee” means each guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to Article 13 of this Indenture.

Holder,” as applied to any Note, or other similar terms (but excluding the term “beneficial holder”), means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Note is registered on the Note Register.

 

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Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.

Initial Dividend Threshold” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(d).

Initial Purchasers” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and the several other initial purchasers named in Schedule III to the Purchase Agreement.

Instructions” shall have the meaning specified in Section 17.17.

Interest Payment Date” means each May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2024.

last date of original issuance” means (a) with respect to any Notes issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and any Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof, the date the Company first issues such Notes; and (b) with respect to any additional Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.10, and any Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof, either (i) the later of (x) the date such Notes are originally issued and (y) the last date any Notes are originally issued as part of the same offering pursuant to the exercise of an option granted to the initial purchaser(s) of such Notes to purchase additional Notes; or (ii) such other date as is specified in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee before the original issuance of such Notes.

Last Reported Sale Price” of the Common Stock (or any other security for which a closing sale price must be determined pursuant to the terms of this Indenture) on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is traded. If the Common Stock (or such other security) is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the last quoted bid price for the Common Stock (or such other security) in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If the Common Stock (or such other security) is not so quoted in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Common Stock (or such other security) on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose. The “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of regular trading session hours.

Make-Whole Fundamental Change” means any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change (as defined above and determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof).

 

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Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).

Market Disruption Event” means, for the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion of the Notes (a) a failure by the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (b) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Scheduled Trading Day for the Common Stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to the Common Stock.

Maturity Date” means May 15, 2028.

Measurement Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(i).

Note” or “Notes” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of the recitals of this Indenture.

Note Register” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).

Note Registrar” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).

Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b).

Observation Period” with respect to any Note surrendered for conversion means: (i) if the relevant Conversion Date occurs prior to February 15, 2028, the 50 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately succeeding such Conversion Date; and (ii) if the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 15, 2028, the 50 consecutive Trading Days beginning on, and including, the 51st Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date.

Offering Memorandum” means the preliminary offering memorandum dated May 6, 2024, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet dated May 6, 2024, relating to the offering and sale of the Notes.

Officer” means, with respect to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Executive or Senior Vice President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”) of such Person.

Officer’s Certificate,” when used with respect to the Company, means a certificate that is delivered to the Trustee and that is signed by any Officer of the Company. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 17.05 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section. The Officer giving an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 4.08 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company.

 

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open of business” means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel acceptable to the Trustee, which opinion may contain customary exceptions and qualifications as to the matters set forth therein, that is delivered to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 17.05 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section 17.05.

outstanding,” when used with reference to Notes, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(a) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or accepted by the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Notes, or portions thereof, that have become due and payable and in respect of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company if the Company is then acting as its own Paying Agent) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent);

(c) Notes that have been paid pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 2.06 or Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06 unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Notes are held by protected purchasers in due course; and

(d) Notes converted pursuant to Article 14 and required to be cancelled pursuant to Section 2.08.

Paying Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.

Person” means an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

Physical Notes” means permanent certificated Notes in registered form issued in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof.

Predecessor Note” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.06 in lieu of or in exchange for a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note that it replaces.

Purchase Agreement” means that certain Purchase Agreement, dated May 6, 2024, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors initially party to this Indenture and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as representatives of the Initial Purchasers.

 

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Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).

Refinancing Indebtedness” means any indebtedness incurred to, directly or indirectly, refinance or repay the Senior Notes in whole or in part, as determined by the Company in good faith.

Regular Record Date,” with respect to any Interest Payment Date, means the May 1 or November 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable May 15 or November 15 Interest Payment Date, respectively.

Resale Restriction Termination Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who, in each case, shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Securities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

Restrictive Notes Legend” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

Rule 144” means Rule 144 as promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A as promulgated under the Securities Act.

Sanctions” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.10.

Scheduled Trading Day” means a day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading. If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Scheduled Trading Day” means a Business Day.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Senior Notes” means, collectively, the 2025 Notes, the 2027 Notes and the 2029 Notes.

Settlement Amount” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iv).

Settlement Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iii).

 

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Share Exchange Common Stock” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(e)(i).

Share Exchange Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).

Share Exchange Valuation Percentage” for any Share Exchange Event shall be equal to (x) the arithmetic average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of one share of the relevant Share Exchange Common Stock over the relevant Share Exchange Valuation Period (determined as if references to “Common Stock” in the definition of “Last Reported Sale Price” were references to the “Share Exchange Common Stock” for such Share Exchange Event), divided by (y) the arithmetic average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of one share of Common Stock over the relevant Share Exchange Valuation Period.

Share Exchange Valuation Period” for any Share Exchange Event means the five consecutive Trading Day period immediately preceding, but excluding, the effective date for such Share Exchange Event.

Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that is a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission.

Spin-Off” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Stock Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c).

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Subsidiary Guarantors” means each of the Company’s (or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s) Subsidiaries that from time to time (i) is a guarantor of the Senior Notes, (ii) is a guarantor or obligor under the Credit Agreement or (iii) is a guarantor or obligor with respect to any Refinancing Indebtedness and, in each case, their respective successors and assigns, until the Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Successor Company” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.01(a).

Successor Subsidiary Guarantor” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.06(a)(i).

Trading Day” means, except for determining amounts due upon conversion of the Notes, a day on which (i) trading in the Common Stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined pursuant to the terms of this Indenture) generally occurs on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on

 

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the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then listed or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then traded and (ii) a Last Reported Sale Price for the Common Stock (or closing sale price for such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market; provided that if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, “Trading Day” means a Business Day; and provided further that, for purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion of the Notes only, “Trading Day” means a day on which (x) there is no Market Disruption Event and (y) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading, except that if the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “Trading Day” means a Business Day.

Trading Price” of the Notes on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent for $5,000,000 principal amount of Notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such date of determination from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers the Company selects for this purpose; provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent, that one bid shall be used. If, on any determination date, the Bid Solicitation Agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $5,000,000 principal amount of Notes from a nationally recognized securities dealer, then the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on such determination date shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate.

transfer” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).

Trigger Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Trust Indenture Act” means the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of execution of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after the date hereof, the term “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean, to the extent required by such amendment, the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as so amended.

Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.

unit of Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).

 

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Valuation Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person, except that, solely for purposes of this definition, the reference to “more than 50%” in the definition of “Subsidiary” shall be deemed replaced by a reference to “100%,” the calculation of which shall exclude nominal amounts of the voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests in the relevant Subsidiary not held by such Person to the extent required to satisfy local minority interest requirements outside of the United States.

Section 1.02. References to Interest. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note in this Indenture shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be accruing or payable pursuant to any of Section 4.06(d), Section 4.06(e) and Section 6.03. Unless the context otherwise requires, any express mention of Additional Interest in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

ARTICLE 2

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES

Section 2.01. Designation and Amount. The Notes shall be designated as the “1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028.” The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is initially limited to $575,000,000, subject to Section 2.10 and except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Notes to the extent expressly permitted hereunder.

Section 2.02. Form of Notes. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the respective forms set forth in Exhibit A, the terms and provisions of which shall constitute, and are hereby expressly incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. In the case of any conflict between this Indenture and a Note, the provisions of this Indenture shall control and govern to the extent of such conflict.

Any Global Note may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture as may be required by the Custodian or the Depositary, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Notes may be listed or traded or designated for issuance or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.

Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends or endorsements as the Officer executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, or to conform to usage or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.

 

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Each Global Note shall represent such principal amount of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect repurchases, cancellations, conversions, transfers or exchanges permitted hereby. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in such manner and upon instructions given by the Holder of such Notes in accordance with this Indenture. Payment of principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, a Global Note shall be made to the Holder of such Note on the date of payment, unless a record date or other means of determining Holders eligible to receive payment is provided for herein.

Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts(a) . (a) The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date specified on the face of such Note. Accrued interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.

(b) The Person in whose name any Note (or its Predecessor Note) is registered on the Note Register at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date. The principal amount of any Note (x) in the case of any Physical Note, shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purposes in the contiguous United States of America, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office and (y) in the case of any Global Note, shall be payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Company shall pay, or cause the Paying Agent to pay, interest (i) on any Physical Notes (A) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the Holders of these Notes at their address as it appears in the Note Register and (B) to Holders holding Physical Notes having an aggregate principal amount of more than $5,000,000, either by check mailed to each such Holder or, upon written application by such a Holder to the Note Registrar not later than the relevant Regular Record Date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that Holder’s U.S. Dollar account within the United States if such Holder has provided the Company, the Trustee or the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) with the requisite information necessary to make such wire transfer, which application shall remain in effect until the Holder notifies, in writing, the Note Registrar to the contrary or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

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(c) Any Defaulted Amounts shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant payment date but shall accrue interest per annum at the interest rate borne by the Notes, subject to the enforceability thereof under applicable law, from, and including, such relevant payment date, and such Defaulted Amounts together with such interest thereon shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Amounts to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts, which shall be fixed in the manner set forth in this Section 2.03(c)(i). The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of the Defaulted Amounts proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment (which shall be not less than 25 days after the receipt by the Trustee of such notice, unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Amounts or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Amounts as in this Section 2.03(c)(i) provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment, and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment (unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of such special record date at least five Business Days before notice is to be sent to Holders (unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date) and the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor to be delivered to each Holder not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor having been so delivered, such Defaulted Amounts shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such special record date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii).

(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Amounts in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Section 2.03(c), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

(iii) The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Notes to determine the Defaulted Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of Defaulted Amounts owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Defaulted Amounts.

 

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Section 2.04. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes. The Notes shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual, electronic or facsimile signature of its Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Director of Treasury, Treasurer, Secretary, or any of its Senior Vice Presidents.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order (such Company Order to include the terms of the Notes) for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Notes, without any further action by the Company hereunder; provided that, subject to Section 17.05, the Trustee shall be entitled, in connection with the original issuance of any additional Notes issued pursuant to the first sentence of Section 2.10, to receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company with respect to the issuance, authentication and delivery of such Notes.

Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth on the Form of Note, executed manually or electronically by an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section 17.10), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an authenticating agent) upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

In case any Officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to remain an Officer of the Company at the time the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be an Officer of the Company; and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be Officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such an Officer of the Company.

Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary.

(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office a register (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.02, the “Note Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. Such register shall be in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable period of time. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed the “Note Registrar” for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. The Company may appoint one or more co-Note Registrars in accordance with Section 4.02.

 

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Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note to the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for such transfer set forth in this Section 2.05, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and bearing such restrictive legends as may be required by this Indenture.

Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive, bearing registration numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

All Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, repurchase or conversion shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Note Registrar and duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent for any exchange or registration of transfer of Notes, but the Company may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of new Notes issued upon such exchange or registration of transfer being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer or otherwise required by law.

None of the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar shall be required to exchange for other Notes or register a transfer of (i) any Notes surrendered for conversion or, if a portion of any Note is surrendered for conversion, such portion thereof surrendered for conversion or (ii) any Notes, or a portion of any Note, surrendered for required repurchase upon a Fundamental Change (and not withdrawn) in accordance with Article 15.

All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with this Indenture shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture and the Guarantees as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(b) So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, unless otherwise required by law, subject to the tenth paragraph of Section 2.05(c) all Notes shall be represented by one or more Notes in global form (each, a “Global Note”) registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary. Each Global Note shall bear the legend required on a Global Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in a Global Note that does not involve the issuance of a Physical Note shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with this Indenture (including the restrictions on transfer set forth herein) and the applicable procedures of the Depositary therefor.

 

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(c) Every Note that bears or is required under this Section 2.05(c) to bear the Restrictive Notes Legend (together with any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes that is required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d), collectively, the “Restricted Securities”) shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.05(c) (including the Restrictive Notes Legend set forth below), unless such restrictions on transfer shall be eliminated or otherwise waived by written consent of the Company, and the Holder of each such Restricted Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, agrees to be bound by all such restrictions on transfer. As used in this Section 2.05(c) and Section 2.05(d), the term “transfer” encompasses any sale, pledge, transfer or other disposition whatsoever of any Restricted Security.

Until the date (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) that is the later of (1) the date that is one year after the last date of original issuance of the Notes, or such shorter period of time as permitted by Rule 144 or any successor provision thereto, and (2) such later date, if any, as may be required by applicable law, any certificate evidencing such Note (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof, other than Common Stock, if any, issued upon conversion thereof, which shall bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(d), if applicable) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (the “Restrictive Notes Legend”) (unless such Notes have been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with notice thereof to the Trustee):

THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND

(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR

 

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(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(C) TO A PERSON REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THREE MONTHS MAY PURCHASE, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

No transfer of any Note prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date will be registered by the Note Registrar unless the applicable box on the Form of Assignment and Transfer has been checked.

Any Note (or security issued in exchange or substitution therefor) (i) as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms, (ii) that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become effective or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or (iii) that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of such Note for exchange to the Note Registrar in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.05, be exchanged for a new Note or Notes, of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, which shall not bear the Restrictive Notes Legend required by this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number. The Company shall be entitled to instruct the Custodian in writing to so surrender any Global Note as to which any of the conditions set forth in clause (i) through (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied, and, upon such instruction, the Custodian shall so surrender such Global Note for exchange; and any new Global Note so exchanged therefor shall not bear the Restrictive Notes Legend specified in this Section 2.05(c) and shall not be assigned a restricted CUSIP number. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing upon the occurrence of the Resale Restriction Termination Date and promptly after a registration statement, if any, with respect to the Notes or any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes has been declared effective under the Securities Act.

 

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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the provisions set forth in this Section 2.05(c)), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole or in part except (i) by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor depositary or a nominee of such successor depositary and (ii) for exchange of a Global Note or a portion thereof for one or more Physical Notes in accordance with the second immediately succeeding paragraph.

The Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as Depositary with respect to each Global Note. Initially, each Global Note shall be issued to the Depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of the Depositary, and deposited with the Trustee as custodian for Cede & Co.

If (i) the Depositary notifies the Company at any time that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing and, subject to the Depositary’s applicable procedures, a beneficial owner of any Note requests that its beneficial interest therein be issued as a Physical Note, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Notes, shall authenticate and deliver (x) in the case of clause (iii), a Physical Note to such beneficial owner in a principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Note corresponding to such beneficial owner’s beneficial interest and (y) in the case of clause (i) or (ii), Physical Notes to each beneficial owner of the related Global Notes (or a portion thereof) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes, and upon delivery of the Global Notes to the Trustee such Global Notes shall be canceled.

Physical Notes issued in exchange for all or a part of the Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, or, in the case of clause (iii) of the immediately preceding paragraph, the relevant beneficial owner, shall instruct the Trustee in writing. Upon execution and authentication, the Trustee shall deliver such Physical Notes to the Persons in whose names such Physical Notes are so registered.

At such time as all interests in a Global Note have been converted, canceled, repurchased upon a Fundamental Change or transferred, such Global Note shall be, upon receipt thereof, canceled by the Trustee in accordance with standing procedures and existing instructions between the Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Physical Notes, converted, canceled, repurchased upon a

 

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Fundamental Change or transferred to a transferee who receives Physical Notes therefor or any Physical Note is exchanged or transferred for part of such Global Note, the principal amount of such Global Note shall, in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, be appropriately reduced or increased, as the case may be, and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction or increase.

None of the Company, the Trustee (including in its capacity as Paying Agent) or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any act or omission of the Depositary or for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those beneficial interests by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to those beneficial interests.

Except as expressly provided in this Indenture or the Notes, the rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and beneficial owners.

(d) Until the Resale Restriction Termination Date, any stock certificate representing Common Stock issued upon conversion of a Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless such Common Stock has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or such Common Stock has been issued upon conversion of a Note that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer, or pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company with written notice thereof to the Trustee and any transfer agent for the Common Stock):

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND

(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL

 

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INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE NOTES UPON THE CONVERSION OF WHICH THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(C) TO A PERSON REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THREE MONTHS MAY PURCHASE, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

Any such Common Stock (i) as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms, (ii) that has been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or (iii) that has been sold pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act, may, upon surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Common Stock for exchange in accordance with the procedures of the transfer agent for the Common Stock, be exchanged for a new certificate or certificates for a like aggregate number of shares of Common Stock, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by this Section 2.05(d).

 

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The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any securities laws or restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(e) Any Note or Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exchange of a Note that is repurchased or owned by the Company or any “affiliate” (as defined under Rule 144) of the Company (or any Person who was an “affiliate” (as defined under Rule 144) of the Company at any time during the three months immediately preceding) may not be resold by the Company or such “affiliate” (as defined under Rule 144) (or such Person, as the case may be) unless registered under the Securities Act or resold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in a transaction that results in such Note or Common Stock, as the case may be, no longer being a “restricted security” (as defined under Rule 144)

(f) Neither the Trustee nor any agent thereof shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and beneficial owners.

None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Note or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any act or omission of the Depositary. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Notes shall be given or made only to, or upon the order of, the registered Holder(s) (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note).

Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Note, bearing a registration number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, claim, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

 

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The Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and deliver the same upon the receipt of such security or indemnity as the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, such authenticating agent may require. No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar, any co-Note Registrar or the Paying Agent upon the issuance of any substitute Note, but the Company may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new substitute Note being different from the name of the Holder of the old Note that became mutilated or was destroyed, lost or stolen. In case any Note that has matured or is about to mature or has been surrendered for required repurchase upon a Fundamental Change or is about to be converted in accordance with Article 14 shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, in its sole discretion, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, claim, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) or Conversion Agent of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.06 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement, payment, conversion or repurchase of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement, payment, conversion or repurchase of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

Section 2.07. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Physical Notes, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon written request of the Company, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Physical Notes but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Physical Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Physical Notes (other than any Global Note) and thereupon any or all temporary Notes (other than any Global Note) may be

 

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surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall, upon the written request of the Company, authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Physical Notes. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Physical Notes authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. The Company shall cause all Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment at maturity, repurchase upon a Fundamental Change, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion (other than any Notes exchanged pursuant to Section 14.12), if surrendered to the Company or any of its agents or Subsidiaries, to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation and such Notes shall no longer be considered outstanding under this Indenture upon the payment at maturity, repurchase upon a Fundamental Change, registration of transfer or exchange or conversion (other than any Notes exchanged pursuant to Section 14.12). All Notes delivered to the Trustee shall be canceled promptly by it in accordance with its customary procedures. Except for any Notes surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, or as otherwise expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture, no Notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any Notes surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures and, after such disposition, shall deliver evidence of such disposition to the Company, at the Company’s written request in a Company Order.

Section 2.09. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in all notices issued to Holders as a convenience to such Holders; provided that the Trustee shall have no liability for any defect in the “CUSIP” numbers as they appear on any Note, notice or elsewhere, and, provided, further, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or on such notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

Section 2.10. Additional Notes; Repurchases. The Company may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Holders and notwithstanding Section 2.01, reopen this Indenture and issue additional Notes hereunder with the same terms as the Notes initially issued hereunder (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price, interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional Notes and, if applicable, restrictions on transfer in respect of such additional Notes) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially issued hereunder for U.S. federal income tax or securities law purposes, such additional Notes shall have one or more separate CUSIP numbers. Prior to the issuance of any such additional Notes, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Company Order, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to cover such matters, in addition to those required by Section 17.05, as the Trustee shall reasonably request. In addition, the Company may, to the extent permitted by law, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such Notes are surrendered to the Company), repurchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by the Company or its Subsidiaries or through a privately negotiated transaction or public tender or exchange offer or through

 

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counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives, in each case, without the consent of or notice to the Holders of the Notes. The Company may, at its option and to the extent permitted by applicable law, reissue, resell or surrender to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with this Indenture any Notes that it may repurchase, in the case of a reissuance or resale, so long as such Notes do not constitute “restricted securities” (as defined under Rule 144) upon such reissuance or resale; provided that if any such reissued or resold Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially issued hereunder for U.S. federal income tax or securities law purposes, such reissued or resold Notes shall have one or more separate CUSIP numbers. Any Notes that the Company may repurchase (other than in connection with a Fundamental Change) shall be considered outstanding for all purposes under this Indenture (other than, at any time when such Notes are owned by the Company, by any Subsidiary thereof or by any Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, as set forth in Section 8.04) unless and until such time as the Company surrenders them to the Trustee for cancellation and, upon receipt of a Company Order and an Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall cancel all Notes so surrendered.

ARTICLE 3

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 3.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. (a) This Indenture and the Notes shall cease to be of further effect when (i) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (x) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced, paid or converted as provided in Section 2.06 and (y) Notes for whose payment money has heretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 4.04(d)) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (ii) the Company has irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or delivered to Holders, as applicable, after the Notes have become due and payable, whether on the Maturity Date, on any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, upon conversion or otherwise, cash or, solely in the case of conversion, cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, sufficient, without consideration of reinvestment, to pay all of the outstanding Notes and all other sums due and payable under this Indenture or the Notes by the Company; and (b) the Trustee upon request of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Notes, when the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all covenants and conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Notes have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.06 shall survive.

ARTICLE 4

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section 4.01. Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be paid the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, each of the Notes at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Notes.

 

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Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the contiguous United States of America an office or agency where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or repurchase (“Paying Agent”) or for conversion (“Conversion Agent”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office or the office or agency of the Trustee in the contiguous United States of America.

The Company may also from time to time designate as co-Note Registrars one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the contiguous United States of America for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. The terms “Paying Agent” and “Conversion Agent” include any such additional or other offices or agencies, as applicable.

The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as the Paying Agent, Note Registrar, Custodian and Conversion Agent and the Corporate Trust Office as the office or agency in the contiguous United States of America where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or repurchase or for conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served; provided that the Corporate Trust Office shall not be a place for service of legal process for the Company.

The Company may change the Paying Agent, Note Registrar, Custodian or Conversion Agent without prior notice to Holders of the Notes and the Company may act as Paying Agent or Note Registrar.

Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustees Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.09, a successor trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent(a) . (a) If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:

(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Holders;

 

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(ii) that it will give the Trustee prompt written notice of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and

(iii) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

The Company shall, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) or accrued and unpaid interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action; provided that if such deposit is made on the date due in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, such deposit must be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date.

(b) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) and accrued and unpaid interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.

(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay, cause to be paid or deliver to the Trustee all sums or amounts held in trust by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums or amounts to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment or delivery by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability but only with respect to such sums or amounts.

(d) Subject to applicable escheatment laws, any money and shares of Common Stock deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, accrued and unpaid interest on and the consideration due upon conversion of any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), interest or consideration due upon conversion has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on request of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder

 

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of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money and shares of Common Stock, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 4.05. Existence. Subject to Article 11, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.

Section 4.06. Rule 144A Information Requirement and Annual Reports(a) . (a) At any time the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall, so long as any of the Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the Trustee and, upon written request, any Holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Notes, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such Notes or shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof pursuant to Rule 144A.

(b) The Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the Commission, copies of any annual or quarterly reports (on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q or any respective successor form) that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any such information, documents or reports, or portions thereof, subject to confidential treatment and any correspondence with the Commission, and giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto)). Any such document or report that the Company files with the Commission via the Commission’s EDGAR system (or any successor system) shall be deemed to be filed with the Trustee for purposes of this Section 4.06(b) at the time such documents are filed via the EDGAR system (or such successor), it being understood that the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining whether such filings have been made.

(c) Delivery of the reports, information and documents described in Section 4.06(b) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the information and documents and the Trustee’s receipt of such information and documents shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 4.08).

(d) If, at any time during the six-month period beginning on, and including, the date that is six months after the last date of original issuance of the Notes, the Company fails to timely file any document or report that it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods thereunder and other than reports on Form 8-K), or the Notes are not otherwise freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Company’s “affiliates” (as defined under Rule 144) or Holders that were the Company’s “affiliates” (as defined under Rule 144) at any time during the three months immediately preceding such proposed resale (as a result of

 

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restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes), the Company shall pay Additional Interest on the Notes. Such Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes at the rate of 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during such period for which the Company’s failure to file documents or reports that it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods thereunder and other than reports on Form 8-K), has occurred and is continuing or the Notes are not otherwise freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Company’s “affiliates” (as defined under Rule 144) (or Holders that were the Company’s “affiliates” (as defined under Rule 144) at any time during the three months immediately preceding such proposed resale) without restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes. As used in this Section 4.06(d), documents or reports that the Company is required to “file” with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act does not include documents or reports that the Company furnishes to the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. For purposes of this Section 4.06(d), the phrase “restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes” shall not include, for the avoidance of doubt, the assignment of a restricted CUSIP number or the existence of the Restrictive Notes Legend on Notes in compliance with Section 2.05(c), in either case, during the six-month period described in this Section 4.06(d).

(e)

(i) If, and for so long as, the Restrictive Notes Legend on the Notes specified in Section 2.05(c) has not been removed, the Notes are assigned a restricted CUSIP number or the Notes are not otherwise freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Company’s “affiliates” (as defined under Rule 144) or Holders that were the Company’s “affiliates” (as defined under Rule 144) at any time during the three months immediately preceding (without restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes) as of the 380th day after the last date of original issuance of the Notes issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or any additional Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.10, as the case may be (the “De-legending Deadline”), the Company shall pay Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of Notes outstanding until the Restrictive Notes Legend on the Notes has been removed in accordance with Section 2.05(c), the Notes are assigned an unrestricted CUSIP number and the Notes are freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 by Holders other than the Company’s “affiliates” (as defined under Rule 144) (or Holders that were the Company’s “affiliates” (as defined under Rule 144) at any time during the three months immediately preceding the proposed resale) without restrictions pursuant to U.S. securities laws or the terms of this Indenture or the Notes.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes, Additional Interest that accrues on any Note for any period on or after the De-legending Deadline pursuant to Section 4.06(e)(i) shall accrue, but not be payable on any Interest Payment Date occurring on or after such De-legending Deadline unless (x) a Holder or beneficial owner of a Note has delivered to the Company (with a copy to the Trustee), before the Regular Record Date immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date, a written notice demanding payment of Additional Interest, which written notice in all

 

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cases must be delivered to the Company (with a copy to the Trustee) no later than the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, or (y) the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, elects, by sending notice of such election to Holders before such Regular Record Date, to pay such Additional Interest on such Interest Payment Date (any such accrued and unpaid Additional Interest that, in compliance with the foregoing, is not paid on such Interest Payment Date, “Deferred Additional Interest”).

(iii) Without further action by the Company or any other Person, interest shall automatically accrue on any Deferred Additional Interest from, and including, the applicable Interest Payment Date at a rate per annum equal to the stated interest rate for the Notes to, but excluding, the date on which such Deferred Additional Interest, together with any interest thereon, is paid. Each reference in this Indenture or the Notes to any accrued interest (including in the definition of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) or to any accrued Additional Interest includes, to the extent applicable, and without duplication, any Deferred Additional Interest, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

(iv) Once any accrued and unpaid Additional Interest under this Section 4.06(e) becomes payable on an Interest Payment Date (whether as a result of the delivery of a written notice pursuant to Section 4.06(e)(ii) or, if earlier, the Company’s election to pay the same), Additional Interest shall thereafter not be subject to deferral pursuant to Section 4.06(e)(ii).

(v) For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to pay any accrued and unpaid Additional Interest pursuant to Section 4.06(e) on an Interest Payment Date shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under this Indenture or the Notes if such payment is deferred in accordance with Section 4.06(e)(ii). Otherwise, such a failure to pay will be subject to Section 6.01(a). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes, with respect to any unpaid Deferred Additional Interest, in the event that no Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes shall have provided to the Company (with a copy to the Trustee) the notice described in clause (x) of Section 4.06(e)(ii), and the Company has not notified Holders of its election to pay such Additional Interest as described in clause (y) of Section 4.06(e)(ii), in each case, by the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, then such Deferred Additional Interest shall cease to accrue, and such Deferred Additional Interest, together with any interest thereon, shall be deemed to be extinguished on the Maturity Date (or, if later, the first date on which we shall have repaid the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest (other than such Deferred Additional Interest and any interest thereon) on, the Notes in full).

(f) Except as provided in Section 4.06(e)(ii), Additional Interest will be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date following accrual in the same manner as regular interest on the Notes.

(g) Subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, the Additional Interest that is payable in accordance with Section 4.06(d) or Section 4.06(e) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any Additional Interest that may be payable as a result of the Company’s election pursuant to Section 6.03. However, in no event shall Additional Interest payable for the

 

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Company’s failure to comply with its obligations to timely file any document or report that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods thereunder and other than reports on Form 8-K), as set forth in Section 4.06(d), together with any Additional Interest that may accrue at the Company’s election as a result of the Company’s failure to comply with its reporting obligations pursuant to Section 6.03, accrue at a rate in excess of 0.50% per annum pursuant to this Indenture, regardless of the number of events or circumstances giving rise to the requirement to pay such Additional Interest.

(h) The Company shall send notice to the Holder of each Note, with a copy to the Trustee, of the commencement and termination of any period in which any Additional Interest pursuant to Section 4.06(d) or Section 4.06(e) accrues on such Note, except that no such notice is required in respect of any Deferred Additional Interest that is deferred in accordance with Section 4.06(e)(ii). If Additional Interest is payable by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06(d) or Section 4.06(e), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to that effect stating (i) the amount of such Additional Interest that is payable and (ii) the date on which such Additional Interest is payable. The Trustee shall have no obligation to determine whether Additional Interest is payable or if Deferred Additional Interest is accruing on the Notes. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives such Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee may conclusively assume without inquiry that no such Additional Interest is payable or has been deferred. If the Company has paid Additional Interest directly to the Persons entitled to it, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the particulars of such payment.

Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 4.08. Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2024) an Officer’s Certificate stating whether the signers thereof have knowledge of any Event of Default that occurred during the previous fiscal year and, if so, specifying each such Event of Default and the nature thereof.

In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company obtains knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default, its status and the action that the Company is taking or proposing to take in respect thereof; provided that the Company is not required to deliver such notice if such Event of Default or Default has been cured prior to the expiration of such 30 day period.

 

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Section 4.09. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company and/or any Subsidiary Guarantor will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Indenture.

Section 4.10. Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions Representations. The Company hereby covenants and represents that neither it, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to its knowledge, its Affiliates, directors or officers, are the target or subject of any sanctions enforced by the United States government (including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, HM Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”). The Company covenants and represents that neither it nor any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, directors or officers will use any payments made pursuant to this Indenture, or commit any action, or cause the Trustee to commit any action, under this Indenture that has the effect of: (i) funding or facilitating any activities of or business with any person who, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions, (ii) funding or facilitating any activities of or business with any country or territory that is the target or subject of Sanctions, or (iii) in any other manner, facilitating the violation of Sanctions by any Person.

Section 4.11. Additional Subsidiary Guarantors. If any Subsidiary of the Company (or of any Subsidiary Guarantor) becomes a guarantor of the Senior Notes, a guarantor or obligor under the Credit Agreement or a guarantor or obligor with respect any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Company shall cause such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor hereunder and become an obligor to a Guarantee by executing a supplemental indenture, in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto and otherwise in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to such effect within 30 days after the date on which it becomes a guarantor of the Senior Notes, guarantor or obligor under the Credit Agreement or a guarantor or obligor with respect to such Refinancing Indebtedness, and the Company shall deliver an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee in connection with the execution of such supplemental indenture.

ARTICLE 5

LISTS OF HOLDERS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01. Lists of Holders. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, semiannually, not more than 15 days after each May 1 and November 1 in each year beginning with November 1, 2024, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request (or such lesser time as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to enable it to timely provide any notice to be provided by it hereunder), a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders as of a date not more than 15 days (or such other date as the Trustee may reasonably request in order to so provide any such notices) prior to the time such information is furnished, except that no such list need be furnished so long as the Trustee is acting as Note Registrar.

 

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Section 5.02. Preservation and Disclosure of Lists. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 or maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Note Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may dispose of any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01. Events of Default. Each of the following events shall be an “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes:

(a) default in any payment of interest on any Note when due and payable, and the default continues for a period of 30 days;

(b) default in the payment of principal of any Note when due and payable on the Maturity Date, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

(c) failure by the Company to comply with its obligation to convert the Notes in accordance with this Indenture upon exercise of a Holder’s conversion right and such failure continues for three Business Days;

(d) failure by the Company to give (i) a Fundamental Change Company Notice in accordance with Section 15.02(b) or notice of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change in accordance with Section 14.03(b), in either case when due and such failure continues for two Business Days, or (ii) notice of a specified corporate event in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(ii) or 14.01(b)(iii) when due and such failure continues for one Business Day;

(e) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article 11 or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s failure to comply with its obligations under Section 13.06;

(f) failure by the Company for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee to the Company or from the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to the Company and the Trustee has been received to comply with any of its other agreements contained in the Notes or this Indenture;

(g) default by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of (x) $40,000,000 or (y) such lesser amount as may be applicable to the corresponding event of default in any other capital markets indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor which was outstanding on the date hereof (in each case, or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of the Company and/or any such Significant Subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity date or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal of any such debt when due and payable (after the expiration of all applicable grace

 

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periods) at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, and in the cases of clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 6.01(g), such acceleration shall not have been rescinded or annulled or such failure to pay or default shall not have been cured or waived, or such indebtedness is not paid or discharged, as the case may be, within 30 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding in accordance with this Indenture;

(h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiary Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, any such Significant Subsidiary or group of Subsidiary Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, or its or their debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, any such Significant Subsidiary or group of Subsidiary Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, or any substantial part of its or their property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it or them, as the case may be, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(i) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiary Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Company, such Significant Subsidiary or such group of Subsidiary Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, or its or their debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Company, such Significant Subsidiary or such group of Subsidiary Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, or any substantial part of its or their property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 30 consecutive days; or

(j) a final judgment or judgments for the payment of (x) $35,000,000 or (y) such lesser amount as may be applicable to the corresponding event of default in any other outstanding capital markets indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor which was outstanding on the date hereof (in each case, or its foreign currency equivalent) or more (excluding any amounts covered by insurance) in the aggregate rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, which judgment is not discharged, bonded, paid, waived or stayed within 60 days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal thereof has expired if no such appeal has commenced, or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished.

 

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(k) any Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Guarantee and this Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable of found to be invalid, or any Subsidiary Guarantor denies its liability under its Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from its Guarantee that was effected in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Guarantee).

Section 6.02. Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment. If one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company and not, for the avoidance of doubt, solely the Company’s Subsidiaries), unless the principal of all of the Notes shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may (and the Trustee, at the written request of such Holders, shall) declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all the outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all Notes shall become and shall automatically be due and payable immediately.

The immediately preceding paragraph, however, is subject to the conditions that if, at any time after the principal of the Notes shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, and if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) any and all existing Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on Notes that shall have become due solely by such acceleration, shall have been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.09, then and in every such case (except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default with respect to the Notes and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences and such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any Default or Event of Default resulting from (i) the nonpayment of the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest on, any Notes, (ii) a failure to repurchase any Notes when required or (iii) a failure to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes.

Section 6.03. Additional Interest. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary, to the extent the Company elects, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) shall, for the first 365 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default, consist exclusively of the right to receive Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding, as long as such Event of Default is continuing. Subject to the last paragraph of this

 

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Section 6.03, Additional Interest payable pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, any Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d) or Section 4.06(e). If the Company so elects, such Additional Interest shall be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Notes. On the 366th day after such Event of Default (if the Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) is not cured or waived prior to such 366th day), the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02. The provisions of this Section 6.03 will not affect the rights of Holders in the event of the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b). In the event the Company does not elect to pay Additional Interest following an Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) in accordance with this Section 6.03 or the Company elected to make such payment but does not pay the Additional Interest when due, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.

In order to elect to pay Additional Interest as the sole remedy during the first 365 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company must notify all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing, together with an Officer’s certificate (consistent with Section 4.06(h)) to the Trustee and Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) of such election prior to the beginning of such 365-day period. Upon the failure to timely give such notice, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.

In no event shall Additional Interest payable, as set forth in this Section 6.03, at the Company’s election for failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b), together with any Additional Interest that may accrue as a result of the Company’s failure to timely file any document or report that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as applicable (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods thereunder and other than reports on Form 8-K), pursuant to Section 4.06(d), accrue at a rate in excess of 0.50% per annum pursuant to this Indenture, regardless of the number of events or circumstances giving rise to the requirement to pay such Additional Interest.

Section 6.04. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor. If an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(a) or (b) shall have occurred and be continuing, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on any overdue principal and interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Notes at such time and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06. If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes, wherever situated.

 

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In the event there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes under Title 11 of the United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Company or such other obligor, the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the event of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company or such other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.04, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such other actions as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Notes, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, as administrative expenses, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including agents and counsel fees and expenses, and including any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06, incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property that the Holders of the Notes may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting such Holder or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

 

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In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Notes parties to any such proceedings.

In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of any waiver pursuant to Section 6.09 or any rescission and annulment pursuant to Section 6.02 or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Holders and the Trustee shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Holders and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 6.05. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6 with respect to the Notes shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the several Notes, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

First, to the payment of all amounts due the Trustee in all of its capacities under this Indenture, including its agent and reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket fees of its counsel(s) payable pursuant to the terms of this Indenture;

Second, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest on, and any cash due upon conversion of, the Notes in default in the order of the date due of the payments of such interest and cash due upon conversion, as the case may be, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon such overdue payments at the rate of interest borne by the Notes at such time, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

Third, in case the principal of the outstanding Notes shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, and be unpaid, to the payment of the whole amount (including, if applicable, the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) then owing and unpaid upon the Notes for principal and interest, if any, with interest on the overdue principal and, to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee, upon overdue installments of interest at the rate of interest borne by the Notes at such time, and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Notes, then to the payment of such principal (including, if applicable, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and interest without preference or priority of principal over interest, or of interest over principal or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal (including, if applicable, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and any cash due upon conversion) and accrued and unpaid interest; and

Fourth, to the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

 

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Section 6.06. Proceedings by Holders. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal (including, if applicable, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) or interest when due, or the right to receive payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, no Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture or the Notes to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(a) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as herein provided;

(b) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(c) such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, claim, liability or expense to be incurred therein or thereby;

(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of such security or indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and

(e) no direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding within such 60-day period pursuant to Section 6.09, it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Note with every other Holder and the Trustee that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder or obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other Holder), or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders (except as otherwise provided herein). For the protection and enforcement of this Section 6.06, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Note to the contrary, each Holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, such Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in such Note or in this Indenture, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be.

 

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Section 6.07. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.06, all powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other power or remedies thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or any acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, every power and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.09. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders. The Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes; provided, however, that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee and that is not inconsistent with such direction. The Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that it determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such direction is unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Holder) or that would reasonably be expected to involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04 may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except any continuing defaults relating to (i) a default in the payment of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, or the principal (including any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of, the Notes when due that has not been cured pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.01, (ii) a failure by the Company to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes or (iii) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 10 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.09, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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Section 6.10. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and a Responsible Officer of the Trustee either (i) receives written notice of such Default or (ii) has actual knowledge of such Default, the Trustee shall deliver to each Holder notice of the Default within 90 days after the date such Default occurs or, if later, within 10 days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives such notice or obtains actual knowledge thereof, unless such Defaults shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), or accrued and unpaid interest on, any of the Notes or a Default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Section 6.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section 6.11 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 8.04, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on any Note (including, but not limited to, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) on or after the due date expressed or provided for in such Note or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert any Note, or receive the consideration due upon conversion, in accordance with the provisions of Article 14.

ARTICLE 7

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiver of all Events of Default that may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In the event an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice or obtained actual knowledge (as provided in Section 6.10), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs;

 

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provided that if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, claim, liability or expense that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct or fraud, except that:

(a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice or obtained actual knowledge (as provided in Section 6.10) and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be deemed to be included in this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, conclusively rely upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);

(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent, or committed fraud or willful misconduct, in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of (i) at least 25%, in the case of Section 6.02, or (ii) not less than a majority, in each case, of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 8.04 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

(d) whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any Paying Agent or any records maintained by any co-Note Registrar with respect to the Notes;

 

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(f) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee had actual knowledge of such event or fact;

(g) in the absence of written investment direction from the Company, all cash received by the Trustee shall be placed in a non-interest bearing trust account, and in no event shall the Trustee be liable for the selection of investments or for investment losses incurred thereon or for losses, fees, taxes or other charges incurred as a result of the liquidation of any such investment prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investments prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investment to provide timely written investment direction, and the Trustee shall have no obligation to invest or reinvest any amounts held hereunder in the absence of such written investment direction from the Company; and

(h) in the event that the Trustee is also acting as Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or transfer agent hereunder, the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article 7 shall also be afforded to the Trustee in its capacity as Custodian, Note Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or transfer agent.

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, and the Trustee shall have the right to be indemnified prior to taking any action at the request of Holders.

Section 7.02. Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, judgment, order, bond, note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture, the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may request and, in the absence of gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both;

 

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(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and require an Opinion of Counsel and any advice of such counsel or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(e) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(f) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any acts, omissions, misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder;

(g) the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties;

(h) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;

(i) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of the individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such times to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(j) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both, and the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel;

(k) neither the Trustee nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or Affiliates shall be responsible for nor have any duty to monitor the performance or any action of the Company, or any of their respective directors, members, officers, agents, Affiliates, or employees, nor shall it have any liability in connection with the malfeasance or nonfeasance by such other Persons. The Trustee, in the absence of gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on its part, shall not be responsible for any inaccuracy in the information obtained from the Company or for any inaccuracy or omission in the records which may result from such information or any failure by the Trustee to perform its duties or set forth herein as a result of any inaccuracy or incompleteness; and

 

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(l) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action, or in its individual capacity, for the obligations evidenced by the Notes. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee by the Company or by any Holder as provided in Section 6.10.

Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar May Own Notes. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company or any Affiliate thereof) or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or Note Registrar.

Section 7.05. Monies and Shares of Common Stock to Be Held in Trust. All monies and shares of Common Stock received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Money and shares of Common Stock held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money or shares of Common Stock received by it hereunder except as may be agreed from time to time by the Company and the Trustee.

Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time and the Trustee shall receive such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to in writing between the Trustee and the Company, and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable documented, out-of-pocket, expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture in any capacity thereunder (including the reasonable documented, out-of-pocket compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or

 

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advance as shall have been caused by its gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct as determined by a final, non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Company also covenants to indemnify, defend and protect the Trustee (in its individual capacity under this Indenture and in any capacity under this Indenture) or any predecessor Trustee in any capacity under this Indenture and any other document or transaction entered into in connection herewith and its agents and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (including taxes (other than taxes based upon, or measured or determined by the income of the Trustee or franchise, corporate or similar entity taxes), attorney’s fees and expenses and court costs) incurred without gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, its officers, directors, agents or employees, or such agent or authenticating agent, as the case may be, as determined by a final, non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or in any other capacity hereunder and the enforcement of this Indenture (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 7.06) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, Company or any Person) or in any other capacity hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a senior claim to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except, subject to the effect of Section 6.05, funds held in trust herewith for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.06 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or indebtedness of the Company. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any third-party claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder except to the extent the Company is materially prejudiced by such failure to notify. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The obligation of the Company under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of the Company. The indemnification provided in this Section 7.06 shall extend to the officers, directors, agents, attorneys and employees of the Trustee.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

Section 7.07. Officers Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of

 

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the Trustee as determined by a final, non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee as determined by a final, non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 7.08. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act (as if the Trust Indenture Act were applicable hereto) to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 7.08, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.08, it shall resign promptly in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article 7.

Section 7.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by delivering notice thereof to the Holders. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten Business Days’ notice to the Company and the Holders, petition any court of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Company, for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

(ii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

 

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then, in either case, the Company may by a Board Resolution remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months (or since the date of this Indenture) may, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, as determined in accordance with Section 8.04, may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee that shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless within ten days after notice to the Company of such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Holder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in Section 7.09(a) provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee.

(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.09 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.10.

Section 7.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.09 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor trustee hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a senior claim to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06.

No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.10 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 7.10, each of the Company and the successor trustee, at the written direction and at the expense of the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Holders. If the Company fails to deliver such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be delivered at the expense of the Company.

 

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Section 7.11. Succession by Merger, Etc. Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of this Indenture), shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the Holders or the parties hereto; provided that in the case of any Person succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee such Person shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or to authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

Section 7.12. Trustees Application for Instructions from the Company. Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company (other than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee that affects the rights of the Holders of the Notes under this Indenture) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three Business Days after notice to the Company has been deemed to have been given pursuant to Section 17.03, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date), unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of any omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in accordance with this Indenture in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

 

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ARTICLE 8

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.01. Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action, the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders. Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the taking of any action by the Holders of the Notes, the Company or the Trustee may, but shall not be required to, fix in advance of such solicitation, a date as the record date for determining Holders entitled to take such action. The record date, if one is selected, shall be not more than fifteen days prior to the date of commencement of solicitation of such action.

Section 8.02. Proof of Execution by Holders. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, Section 7.02 and Section 9.05, proof of the execution of any instrument or writing by a Holder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register or by a certificate of the Note Registrar. The record of any Holders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.

Section 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent and any Note Registrar may deem the Person in whose name a Note shall be registered upon the Note Register to be, and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by any Person other than the Company or any Note Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal (including any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) of and (subject to Section 2.03) accrued and unpaid interest on such Note, for conversion of such Note and for all other purposes under this Indenture; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Conversion Agent nor any Note Registrar shall be affected nor incur any liability by any notice to the contrary. The sole registered holder of a Global Note shall be the Depositary or its nominee. All such payments or deliveries so made to any Holder for the time being, or upon its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sums or shares of Common Stock so paid or delivered, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for monies payable or shares deliverable upon any such Note. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes following an Event of Default, any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note may directly enforce against the Company, without the consent, solicitation, proxy, authorization or any other action of the Depositary or any other Person, such holder’s right to exchange such beneficial interest for a Note in certificated form in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 8.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes that are owned by the Company, by any Subsidiary thereof or by any Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action only Notes that a Responsible Officer

 

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actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 8.04 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to so act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company, a Subsidiary thereof or an Affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary thereof. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel in good faith shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

Section 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Note that is shown by reasonable evidence to be included in the Notes the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Note. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof.

ARTICLE 9

HOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 9.01. Purpose of Meetings. A meeting of Holders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 for any of the following purposes:

(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee or to give any directions to the Trustee permitted under this Indenture, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder (in each case, as permitted under this Indenture) and its consequences, to consent to the waiving of the Company’s obligation to comply with any covenant or agreement herein or take any other action required by this Indenture, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 6;

(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article 7;

(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.02; or

 

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(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Notes under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

Section 9.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting and the establishment of any record date pursuant to Section 8.01, shall be delivered to Holders of the Notes. Such notice shall also be delivered to the Company. Such notices shall be delivered not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

Any meeting of Holders shall be valid without notice if the Holders of all Notes then outstanding are present in person or by proxy or if notice is waived before or after the meeting by the Holders of all Notes then outstanding, and if the Company and the Trustee are either present by duly authorized representatives or have, before or after the meeting, waived notice. One or more representatives of the Company and the Trustee, and each of their respective counsel, may attend any meeting of Holders.

Section 9.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders. In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Holders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have delivered the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Holders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by delivering notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.

Section 9.04. Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

Section 9.05. Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders, in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

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Subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, at any meeting of Holders each Holder or proxyholder shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him, her or it; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Notes held by him or her or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him or her as the proxy to vote on behalf of other Holders. Any meeting of Holders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 may be adjourned from time to time by the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented at the meeting, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 9.06. Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders or of their representatives by proxy and the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Notes held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was delivered as provided in Section 9.02. The record shall show the aggregate principal amount of the Notes voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

Section 9.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing contained in this Article 9 shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes.

 

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ARTICLE 10

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture pursuant to Article 11, or for the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor of a Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under its Guarantee pursuant to Section 13.06;

(c) to add additional Guarantees with respect to the Notes;

(d) to secure the Notes or the Guarantees;

(e) to add to the covenants or Events of Default of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder as determined by the Company in good faith;

(g) in connection with any Share Exchange Event, to provide that the Notes are convertible into Reference Property, subject to the provisions of Section 14.02, and make such related changes to the terms of the Notes to the extent expressly required by Section 14.07;

(h) to conform the provisions of this Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of notes” section of the Offering Memorandum as evidenced in an Officer’s Certificate;

(i) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depositary, including The Depository Trust Company, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect;

(j) to appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Notes;

(k) to increase the Conversion Rate as provided in this Indenture;

(l) to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee, security registrar, Paying Agent, Bid Solicitation Agent or Conversion Agent to facilitate the administration of the trusts under this Indenture by more than one trustee; or

(m) eliminate any Guarantee in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, this Indenture.

 

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Upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 10.01 may be executed by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 10.02.

Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8) of the Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (determined in accordance with Article 8 and including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, the Notes), the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders; provided, however, that, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected, no such supplemental indenture shall:

(a) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment of this Indenture;

(b) reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Note;

(c) reduce the principal of or extend the Maturity Date of any Note;

(d) except as required by this Indenture, make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any Notes;

(e) reduce the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price of any Note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the Holders the Company’s obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;

(f) make any Note payable in a currency, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the Note;

(g) change the ranking of the Notes or the Guarantees;

(h) make any change in this Article 10 that requires each Holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions in Section 6.02 or Section 6.09;

(i) make any change in the Guarantees that would adversely affect the Holders in any material respect (unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of this Indenture); or

 

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(j) other than in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, eliminate any Guarantee.

Upon the written request of the Company, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid and subject to Section 10.05, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

Holders do not need under this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture. It shall be sufficient if such Holders approve the substance thereof.

After any such supplemental indenture under Section 10.01 or this Section 10.02 becomes effective, the Company shall deliver to the Holders a notice (with a copy to the Trustee) briefly describing such supplemental indenture. However, the failure to give such notice to all the Holders (with a copy to the Trustee), or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the supplemental indenture.

Section 10.03. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties, indemnities, privileges and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 10.04. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10 may, at the Company’s expense, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may, at the Company’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 17.10) upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel and a Company Order and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.

Section 10.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee. In addition to the documents required by Section 17.05, the Trustee shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 10 and is permitted or authorized by this Indenture; provided that such Opinion of Counsel shall include a customary legal opinion stating that such supplemental indenture is the valid and binding obligation of the Company, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for determining whether any amendment or supplemental indenture will or may have an adverse effect on any Holder.

 

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ARTICLE 11

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

Section 11.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Company shall not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person unless:

(a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”), if not the Company, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture; and

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture.

For purposes of this Section 11.01, the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company to another Person, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall be deemed to be the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person.

Section 11.02. Successor Corporation to Be Substituted. In case of any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease meeting the requirements of Section 11.01 and upon the assumption by the Successor Company, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Notes, the due and punctual delivery or payment, as the case may be, of any consideration due upon conversion of the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company, such Successor Company (if not the Company) shall succeed to and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been originally named herein as a party hereto, and may thereafter exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture. Such Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company any or all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such Successor Company instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver, or cause to be authenticated and

 

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delivered, any Notes that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the Officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Notes that such Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Notes so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Notes theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Notes had been issued at the date of this Indenture. In the event of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer (but not in the case of a lease), upon compliance with this Article 11 the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture (or any successor that shall thereafter have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article 11) may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter and, except in the case of a lease, such Person shall be released from its liabilities as obligor and maker of the Notes and from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

Section 11.03. Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Given to Trustee. No consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease described in Section 11.01 shall be effective unless the Trustee shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating and as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and any such assumption and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, complies with the provisions of this Article 11.

ARTICLE 12

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 12.01. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest on any Note, nor for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Note, nor because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, Officer or director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.

 

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ARTICLE 13

GUARANTEES

Section 13.01. Guarantees.

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article 13, each Subsidiary Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, fully and unconditionally guarantees, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis, to each Holder, that:

(i) the principal of (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), premium and interest on, the Notes, and the payment and, if applicable, delivery of any consideration due upon conversion of the Notes, shall be promptly paid and, if applicable, delivered in full when due under this Indenture and the Notes, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon repurchase, upon conversion or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) and interest on the Notes (including any Deferred Additional Interest and interest accrued thereon), if any, if lawful, and all other payment and, if applicable, delivery obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid and, if applicable, delivered in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or, if applicable, delivery or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid and, if applicable, delivered in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, upon conversion or otherwise.

Failing payment or, if applicable, delivery when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay and, if applicable, deliver the same immediately. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection. The Guarantees shall not be convertible and shall automatically terminate with respect to a given Note when such Note is converted.

(b) Each Subsidiary Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of any such Note or this Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of any such Note or this Indenture, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to the Company with respect thereto by the Holder of such Note, or any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or such Subsidiary Guarantor.

(c) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency, merger or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that the Guarantee will not be discharged as to any such Note except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(d) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, any amount paid or, if applicable, delivered by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

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(e) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that, as between such Subsidiary Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of the Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article 6, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Subsidiary Guarantor for the purpose of the Guarantee.

Section 13.02. Execution and Delivery of the Guarantee.

(a) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 13.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.

(b) If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

(c) The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Section 13.03. Limitation of Guarantee. Each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such Persons that the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments and, if applicable, deliveries made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment, delivery or distribution under its Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

 

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Section 13.04. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor.

(a) A Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its Guarantee:

(i) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor if the sale or other disposition is in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture (including pursuant to Section 15.02 and Section 13.06);

(ii) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all of the capital stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor if the sale or other disposition is in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture (including pursuant to Section 15.02 and Section 13.06);

(iii) in connection with the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from all guarantee obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the Senior Notes, the Credit Agreement and any Refinancing Indebtedness; or

(iv) upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 3;

in each case, upon the Company’s delivery to the Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such release have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted under this Indenture. Upon request, the Trustee shall execute an instrument evidencing the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

Any Subsidiary Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Guarantee as provided in this Section 13.04 shall remain liable for the full amount of principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes, the full amount of consideration due upon Conversion of the Notes and for the other obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 13.

Section 13.05. Waiver of Subrogation. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Company that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under its Guarantee and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Company, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Company, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or Note on account of such claim or other rights. If any amount shall be paid or delivered to any Subsidiary Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Company’s obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture shall not have been performed in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid or delivered to such Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid or delivered to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 13.05 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

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Section 13.06. Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Conveyance and Lease of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

(a) Subsidiary Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms. Subject to the provisions of Section 13.06(b), no Subsidiary Guarantor shall consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another Person, unless:

(i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Subsidiary Guarantor”), if not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the relevant Guarantee, the Notes and this Indenture; and

(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture; and

(iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture.

For purposes of this Section 13.06, the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of a Subsidiary Guarantor to another Person (other than one or more Subsidiaries of any one or more Subsidiary Guarantors), which properties and assets, if held by such Subsidiary Guarantor instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall be deemed to be the sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person.

(b) Successor Corporation to Be Substituted. In case of any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease meeting the requirements of Section 13.06(a) and upon the assumption by a Successor Subsidiary Guarantor, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of its guarantee of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Notes, the due and punctual delivery or payment, as the case may be, of any consideration due upon conversion of the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company, such Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor) shall succeed to and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall be substituted for such Subsidiary Guarantor, with the same effect as if it

 

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had been originally named herein as a Subsidiary Guarantor party hereto. In the event of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer (but not in the case of a lease), upon compliance with this Section 13.06, the predecessor Subsidiary Guarantor may be dissolved, wound up and liquidated at any time thereafter and, except in the case of a lease, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from its liabilities as obligor and from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Notes or Guarantees thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE 14

CONVERSION OF NOTES

Section 14.01. Conversion Privilege.

(a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 14, each Holder of a Note shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to convert all or any portion (if the portion to be converted is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of such Note (i) subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 15, 2028 under the circumstances and during the periods set forth in Section 14.01(b), and (ii) regardless of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), on or after February 15, 2028 and prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, in each case, at an initial conversion rate of 4.3048 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in this Article 14, the “Conversion Rate”) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (subject to, and in accordance with, the settlement provisions of Section 14.02, the “Conversion Obligation”).

(b)

(i) Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 15, 2028, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time during the five Business Day period immediately after any ten consecutive Trading Day period (the “Measurement Period”) in which the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, as determined following a request by a Holder of Notes in accordance with this Section 14.01(b)(i), for each Trading Day of the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on each such Trading Day and the Conversion Rate on each such Trading Day. The Trading Prices shall be determined by the Bid Solicitation Agent pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(i) and the definition of “Trading Price” set forth in this Indenture. The Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes unless the Company has requested such determination, and the Company shall have no obligation to make such request (or, if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes) unless a Holder or Holders of at least

 

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$2,000,000 principal amount of Notes in the aggregate provide(s) the Company with reasonable evidence that the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on any Trading Day would be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day and the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day, at which time the Company shall instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) in writing to determine, or if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall determine, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes beginning on the next Trading Day and on each successive Trading Day until the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate. If (x) the Company is not acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, and the Company does not, when the Company is required to, instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes when obligated as provided in the preceding sentence, or if the Company gives such instruction to the Bid Solicitation Agent and the Bid Solicitation Agent fails to make such determination, or (y) the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent and the Company fails to make such determination when obligated as provided in the preceding sentence, then, in either case, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes on any date shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on each Trading Day of such failure. If the Trading Price condition set forth above has been met, the Company shall promptly so notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing. Any such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error. If, at any time after the Trading Price condition set forth above has been met, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day and the Conversion Rate for such Trading Day, the Company shall promptly so notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing and thereafter neither the Company nor the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall be required to solicit bids (or determine the Trading Price of the Notes as set forth in this Indenture) again unless a new Holder request is made as provided in this Section 14.01(b)(i). Neither the Trustee nor the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall have any liability or responsibility for any Trading Price or related information or the accuracy thereof.

(ii) If, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 15, 2028, the Company elects to:

(A) distribute to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than in connection with a stockholder rights plan prior to the separation of such rights from the Common Stock) entitling them, for a period of not more than 60 calendar days after the announcement date of such distribution, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such distribution; or

 

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(B) distribute to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock the Company’s assets, securities or rights to purchase securities of the Company (other than in connection with a stockholder rights plan prior to separation of such rights from the Common Stock), which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith, exceeding 10% of the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day preceding the date of announcement for such distribution,

then, in either case, the Company shall notify all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing at least 56 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution (or, if later in the case of any such separation of rights issued pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company becomes aware that such separation or triggering event has occurred or will occur). Once the Company has given such notice, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time until the earlier of (1) the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution and (2) the Company’s announcement that such distribution will not take place, in each case, even if the Notes are not otherwise convertible at such time; provided that Holders may not convert their Notes pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(ii) if they participate, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described in Section 14.01(b)(ii)(A) or (B) without having to convert their Notes as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder.

(iii) If (A) a transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 15, 2028, regardless of whether a Holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase the Notes pursuant to Section 15.02, or (B) if the Company is a party to a Share Exchange Event (other than a Share Exchange Event that is solely for the purpose of changing the Company’s jurisdiction of organization that (x) does not constitute a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, (y) does not violate the provisions under Article 11 and (z) results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of outstanding shares of Common Stock solely into shares of common stock of the surviving entity and such common stock becomes Reference Property for the Notes) that occurs prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 15, 2028 (each such Fundamental Change, Make-Whole Fundamental Change or Share Exchange Event, a “Corporate Event”), all or any portion of a Holder’s Notes may be surrendered for conversion at any time from or after the effective date of such Corporate Event until the earlier of (x) 35 Trading Days after the effective date of the Corporate Event (or, if the Company gives notice after the effective date of such Corporate Event, until 35 Trading Days after the date the Company gives notice of such Corporate Event) or, if such Corporate Event also constitutes a Fundamental Change (other than an Exempted Fundamental Change), until the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and (y)

 

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the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date. The Company shall notify Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing as promptly as practicable following the effective date of such Corporate Event, but in no event later than one Business Day after the effective date of such Corporate Event.

(iv) Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding February 15, 2028, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes for conversion at any time during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2024 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the last Trading Day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the Conversion Price on each applicable Trading Day. The Company shall determine at the beginning of each calendar quarter commencing after September 30, 2024 whether the Notes may be surrendered for conversion in accordance with this Section 14.01(b)(iv) and shall provide prompt written notice to the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) if the Notes become convertible in accordance with this Section 14.01(b)(iv). Neither the Trustee nor Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) shall have any duty to determine or verify such determination by the Company pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(iv) or any similar determination by the Company that the Notes have become convertible in accordance with any condition set forth in this Section 14.01(b).

Section 14.02. Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion.

(a) Except as provided in Section 14.03(b) and Section 14.07(a), upon conversion of any Note, on the second Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period, the Company shall satisfy its Conversion Obligation by paying or delivering, as the case may be, to the converting Holder, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted, a “Settlement Amount” equal to the sum of the Daily Settlement Amounts for each of the 50 consecutive Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period for such Note, together with cash, if applicable, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock in accordance with Section 14.02(j).

(i) All conversions of Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 15, 2028 shall be settled using the same forms and amounts of consideration.

(ii) Except for any conversions of Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 15, 2028, the Company shall use the same forms and amounts of consideration for all conversions of Notes with the same Conversion Date, but the Company shall not have any obligation to use the same forms and amounts of consideration with respect to conversions of Notes with different Conversion Dates.

 

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(iii) If, in respect of any Conversion Date (or any conversions of Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 15, 2028), the Company elects to settle all or a portion of its Conversion Obligation in excess of the principal portion of the Notes being converted in cash in respect of such Conversion Date (or such period, as the case may be), the Company shall inform converting Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of such election (the “Settlement Notice”) no later than the close of business on the Trading Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date (or, in the case of any conversions of Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after February 15, 2028, no later than February 15, 2028) and the Company shall indicate in such Settlement Notice the percentage of the Conversion Obligation in excess of the principal portion of the Notes being converted that shall be paid in cash (the “Cash Percentage”). If the Company does not elect a Cash Percentage prior to the deadline set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company shall no longer have the right to elect a Cash Percentage with respect to any conversion of Notes on such Conversion Date or during such period, and the Company shall be deemed to have elected a Cash Percentage of 0% with respect to such conversion of Notes.

(iv) The Daily Settlement Amounts, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts (if applicable) and the Daily Conversion Values shall be determined by the Company promptly following the last day of the Observation Period. Promptly after such determination of the Daily Settlement Amounts, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts (if applicable) and the Daily Conversion Values and the amount of cash payable in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock, the Company shall notify the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of the Daily Settlement Amounts, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts (if applicable) and the Daily Conversion Values and the amount of cash payable in lieu of delivering any fractional shares of Common Stock. The Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) shall have no responsibility for any such determination.

(b) Subject to Section 14.02(e), before any Holder of a Note shall be entitled to convert a Note as set forth above, such Holder shall (i) in the case of a Global Note, comply with the applicable procedures of the Depositary in effect at that time and, if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h) and (ii) in the case of a Physical Note (1) complete, manually sign and deliver an irrevocable notice to the Conversion Agent as set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion (or a facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission thereof) (such notice pursuant to the applicable procedure of the Depositary or a notice as set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion, a “Notice of Conversion”) at the office of the Conversion Agent and state in writing therein the principal amount of Notes to be converted and the name or names (with addresses) in which such Holder wishes the certificate or certificates for any shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon settlement of the Conversion Obligation to be registered, (2) surrender such Notes, duly endorsed to the Company or in blank (and accompanied by appropriate endorsement and transfer documents), at the office of the Conversion Agent, (3) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and (4) if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(h). The Trustee (and if different, the Conversion Agent) shall notify the Company of any conversion of Notes pursuant to this Article 14 on the Conversion Date

 

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for such conversion. No Notes may be surrendered for conversion by a Holder thereof if such Holder has also delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice to the Company in respect of such Notes and has not validly withdrawn such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with Section 15.03.

If more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the Conversion Obligation with respect to such Notes shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted thereby) so surrendered.

(c) A Note shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the date (the “Conversion Date”) that the Holder has complied with the requirements set forth in Section 14.02(b). If any shares of Common Stock are issuable to a converting Holder, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued, and deliver (if applicable) to the Conversion Agent or to such Holder, or such Holder’s nominee or nominees, the full whole number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled, in book-entry format through the Depositary, in satisfaction of the Company’s Conversion Obligation.

(d) In case any Note shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or upon the written order of the Holder of the Note so surrendered a new Note or Notes in authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Note, without payment of any service charge by the converting Holder but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or similar governmental charge required by law or that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such conversion being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such conversion.

(e) If a Holder submits a Note for conversion, the Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or other similar governmental charge due on the issue of any shares of Common Stock upon conversion, unless the tax is due because the Holder requests such shares of Common Stock to be issued in a name other than the Holder’s name, in which case the Holder shall pay that tax. The Conversion Agent may refuse to deliver the certificates representing the shares of Common Stock being issued in a name other than the Holder’s name until the Trustee receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax that is due by such Holder in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence.

(f) Except as provided in Section 14.04, no adjustment shall be made for dividends on any shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of any Note as provided in this Article 14.

(g) Upon the conversion of an interest in a Global Note, the Trustee, or the Custodian at the direction of the Trustee, shall make a notation on such Global Note as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversion of Notes effected through any Conversion Agent other than the Trustee.

 

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(h) Upon conversion, a Holder shall not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest, if any, except as set forth below. The Company’s settlement of the full Conversion Obligation shall be deemed to satisfy in full its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Note and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date. As a result, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of Notes, accrued and unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Notes are converted after the close of business on a Regular Record Date, Holders of such Notes as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such Notes on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the Notes so converted; provided that no such payment shall be required (1) for conversions of Notes following the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date; (2) if the Company has specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the corresponding Interest Payment Date; or (3) to the extent of any overdue interest, if any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to such Note. Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all Holders of record on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date or any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date described in Section 14.02(h)(2) shall receive the full interest payment due on the Maturity Date or the applicable Interest Payment Date, as the case may be, in cash regardless of whether their Notes have been converted following such Regular Record Date.

(i) The Person in whose name any shares of Common Stock shall be issuable upon conversion of a Note shall be treated as a stockholder of record as of the close of business on the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period. Upon a conversion of Notes, such Person shall no longer be a Holder of such Notes surrendered for conversion.

(j) The Company shall not issue any fractional share of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes and shall instead pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion based on the Daily VWAP for the last Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period. For each Note surrendered for conversion, the full number of shares, if any, that shall be issued upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate Daily Settlement Amounts for the relevant Observation Period and any fractional shares remaining after such computation shall be paid in cash.

Section 14.03. Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Surrendered in Connection with Make-Whole Fundamental Changes.

(a) If the Effective Date of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date and a Holder elects to convert its Notes (or any portion thereof) in connection with such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Company shall, under the circumstances described below in this Section 14.03, increase the Conversion Rate for the Notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”), as described below in this Section 14.03. A conversion of Notes shall be deemed for these purposes

 

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to be “in connection with” a Make-Whole Fundamental Change if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the period from, and including, the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change up to, and including, the Business Day immediately prior to the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (or, in the case of an Exempted Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change that would have been a Fundamental Change but for the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof, the 35th Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of such Exempted Fundamental Change or Make-Whole Fundamental Change) (such period, the “Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period”).

(b) Upon surrender of Notes for conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, the Settlement Amount due in respect of such Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 based on the Conversion Rate as increased to reflect the Additional Shares in accordance with this Section 14.03; provided, however, that if, at the Effective Date of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of “Fundamental Change”, the Reference Property following such Make-Whole Fundamental Change is composed entirely of cash, for any conversion of Notes following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Settlement Amount shall be calculated based solely on the Stock Price for the transaction and shall be deemed to be an amount of cash per $1,000 principal amount of converted Notes equal to the Conversion Rate (including any increase to reflect the Additional Shares), multiplied by such Stock Price. In such event, the Settlement Amount shall be determined and paid to Holders in cash on the second Business Day following the Conversion Date. The Company shall notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of the Effective Date of any Make-Whole Fundamental Change no later than five Business Days after such Effective Date.

(c) The number of Additional Shares, if any, by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased for conversions in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change shall be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective (the “Effective Date”) and the price (the “Stock Price”) paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of the Common Stock in the Make-Whole Fundamental Change. If the holders of the Common Stock receive in exchange for their Common Stock only cash in a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of “Fundamental Change”, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise, the Stock Price shall be the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Effective Date. The Company shall make appropriate adjustments to the Stock Price, in its good faith determination, to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date, Effective Date or expiration date of the event occurs, during such five consecutive Trading Day period.

(d) The Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table below shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Conversion Rate of the Notes is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices shall equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion Rate as so adjusted. The number of Additional Shares set forth in the table below shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 14.04.

 

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(e) The following table sets forth the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased per $1,000 principal amount of Notes pursuant to this Section 14.03 for each Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below:

 

     Stock Price  

Effective Date

   $175.32      $200.00      $232.30      $250.00      $300.00      $350.00      $400.00      $500.00      $600.00      $700.00  

May 9, 2024

     1.3990        1.0054        0.6667        0.5366        0.2971        0.1676        0.0945        0.0271        0.0044        0.0000  

May 15, 2025

     1.3990        1.0054        0.6461        0.5097        0.2655        0.1400        0.0732        0.0169        0.0014        0.0000  

May 15, 2026

     1.3990        0.9638        0.5805        0.4410        0.2042        0.0944        0.0422        0.0054        0.0000        0.0000  

May 15, 2027

     1.3990        0.8626        0.4492        0.3108        0.1075        0.0357        0.0102        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000  

May 15, 2028

     1.3990        0.6952        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The exact Stock Price and Effective Date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case:

(i) if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices in the table above or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates in the table, the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased shall be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of Additional Shares set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year or a 366-day year, as applicable;

(ii) if the Stock Price is greater than $700.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above pursuant to subsection (d) above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate; and

(iii) if the Stock Price is less than $175.32 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above pursuant to subsection (d) above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Conversion Rate per $1,000 principal amount of Notes exceed 5.7038 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04.

(f) Nothing in this Section 14.03 shall prevent an adjustment to the Conversion Rate that would otherwise be required pursuant to Section 14.04 in respect of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.

 

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Section 14.04. Adjustment of Conversion Rate. The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Company if any of the following events occurs, except that the Company shall not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Notes participate (other than in the case of (x) a share split or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described in this Section 14.04, without having to convert their Notes, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder.

(a) If the Company exclusively issues shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of the Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR0 =

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the Effective Date of such share split or share combination, as applicable;

 

CR’ =

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date;

 

OS0 =

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date (before giving effect to any such dividend, distribution, split or combination); and

 

OS’ =

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination.

Any adjustment made under this Section 14.04(a) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the Effective Date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 14.04(a) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

(b) If the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than pursuant to a stockholder rights plan) entitling them, for a period of not more than 60 calendar days after the announcement date of such distribution, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such distribution, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

75


LOGO

where,

 

CR0 =

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution;

 

CR’ =

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date;

 

OS0 =

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date;

 

X     =

the total number of shares of Common Stock distributable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and

 

Y     =

the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the distribution of such rights, options or warrants.

Any increase made under this Section 14.04(b) shall be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are distributed and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the distribution of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution had not occurred.

For purposes of this Section 14.04(b) and for the purpose of Section 14.01(b)(ii)(A), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders of Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Common Stock for a price per share that is less than such average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such distribution, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Company in good faith.

 

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(c) If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, other assets or property of the Company or rights, options or warrants to acquire its Capital Stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, excluding (i) dividends, distributions or issuances (including share splits) as to which an adjustment was effected pursuant to Section 14.04(a) or Section 14.04(b) (or would otherwise be required but for the provisions of Section 14.04(k)), (ii) except as otherwise provided in Section 14.11, rights issued pursuant to any stockholder rights plan of the Company then in effect, (iii) distributions of Reference Property in exchange for, or upon conversion of, Common Stock in a Share Exchange Event, (iv) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash, and (v) Spin-Offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 14.04(c) shall apply (any of such shares of Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, other assets or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock or other securities, the “Distributed Property”), then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution;
CR’    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date;
SP0    =    the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; and
FMV    =    the fair market value (as determined by the Company in good faith) of the Distributed Property with respect to each outstanding share of the Common Stock on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution.

Any increase in the Conversion Rate made pursuant to this Section 14.04(c) above shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined in the immediately preceding formula) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined in the immediately preceding formula), in lieu of the foregoing increase in the Conversion Rate, each Holder of a Note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and without having to convert its Note(s), the amount and kind of Distributed Property such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Ex-Dividend Date for the distribution.

 

77


With respect to an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 14.04(c) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “Spin-Off”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the Valuation Period;
CR’    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the end of the Valuation Period;
FMV0    =    the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of the Common Stock applicable to one share of the Common Stock (determined by reference to the definition of “Last Reported Sale Price” as set forth in Section 1.01 as if references therein to Common Stock were to such Capital Stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period after, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of the Spin-Off (the “Valuation Period”); and
MP0    =    the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the Valuation Period.

The increase to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall occur at the close of business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period; provided that for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period for the relevant conversion of Notes and within the Valuation Period, the reference to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of such Spin-Off to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day of such Observation Period. If any dividend or distribution that constitutes a Spin-Off is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay or make such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared or announced.

For purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and subject in all respects to Section 14.11), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of the Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s Capital Stock, including Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Event”): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of the Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate

 

78


adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 14.04(c). If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Indenture, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or purchased without exercise by any holders thereof, upon such final redemption or purchase (x) the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued and (y) the Conversion Rate shall then again be readjusted to give effect to such distribution, deemed distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or purchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued.

For purposes of Section 14.04(a), Section 14.04(b) and this Section 14.04(c), if any dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable also includes one or both of:

(A) a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock to which Section 14.04(a) is applicable (the “Clause A Distribution”); or

(B) a dividend or distribution of rights, options or warrants to which Section 14.04(b) is applicable (the “Clause B Distribution”),

then, in either case, (1) such dividend or distribution, other than the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution, shall be deemed to be a dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable (the “Clause C Distribution”) and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 14.04(c) with respect to such Clause C Distribution shall then be made, and (2) the Clause A Distribution and Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause C Distribution and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 14.04(a) and Section 14.04(b) with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Company (I) the “Ex-Dividend Date” of the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to be the Ex-Dividend Date of the Clause C Distribution and (II) any shares of Common Stock included in the Clause A Distribution or Clause B Distribution shall be deemed not to be “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or Effective Date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(a) or “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(b).

 

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(d) If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, other than a regular, quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed $0.75 per share (the “Initial Dividend Threshold”), the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

      CR’ = CR0 ×   

SP0 – T

 

     
  

 

         SP0 – C      

where,

 

CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;
CR’    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;
SP0    =    the Last Reported Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;
T    =    the Initial Dividend Threshold; provided that if the dividend or distribution is not a regular quarterly cash dividend, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be deemed to be zero; and
C    =    the amount in cash per share the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock.

The Initial Dividend Threshold shall be subject to adjustment in a manner inversely proportional to adjustments to the Conversion Rate; provided that no adjustment shall be made to the Initial Dividend Threshold for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 14.04(d).

Any increase in the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 14.04(d) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined in the immediately preceding formula) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined in the immediately preceding formula), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes it holds, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of shares of the Common Stock and without having to convert its Note(s), the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Ex-Dividend Date for such cash dividend or distribution.

(e) If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for the Common Stock, to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period

 

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commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where,

 

CR0 =

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;

 

CR’ =

the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;

 

AC  =

the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Board of Directors) paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased in such tender or exchange offer;

 

OS0 =

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer);

 

OS’ =

the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and

 

SP’  =

the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires.

The increase to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 14.04(e) shall occur at the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that for any Trading Day that falls within the relevant Observation Period for the relevant conversion and within the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such Trading Day in determining the Conversion Rate as of such Trading Day of such Observation Period.

 

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If the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer described in this Section 14.04(e) but the Company or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchase or all such purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer had not been made or had been made only in respect of the purchases that have been made.

(f) [Reserved.]

(g) Except as stated herein, the Company shall not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of shares of the Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of the Common Stock or the right to purchase shares of the Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.

(h) In addition to those adjustments required by Sections 14.04(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e), and subject to applicable exchange listing rules, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for a period of at least 20 Business Days if the Company determines that such increase would be in the Company’s best interest. In addition, subject to applicable exchange listing rules, the Company may (but is not required to) increase the Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase shares of Common Stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock (or rights to acquire shares of Common Stock) or similar event. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to either of the preceding two sentences, the Company shall deliver to each Holder of Notes a notice of the increase at least 15 days prior to the date the increased Conversion Rate takes effect, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 14, the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:

(i) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock at a price below the Conversion Price or otherwise, other than any such issuance described in Section 14.04(a), (b) or (c);

(ii) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Company’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;

(iii) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit or incentive plan or program (including pursuant to any evergreen plan) of or assumed by the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries;

(iv) upon the issuance of any shares of the Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in Section 14.04(i)(iii) and outstanding as of the date the Notes were first issued;

 

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(v) for a third-party tender offer by any party other than a tender offer by one or more of the Company’s Subsidiaries as described in Section 14.04(e);

(vi) upon the repurchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an open market share purchase program or other buy-back transaction, including structured or derivative transactions such as accelerated share repurchase transactions or similar forward derivatives, or other buy-back transaction, that is not a tender offer or exchange offer of the kind described under Section 14.04(e);

(vii) solely for a change in the par value (or lack of par value) of the Common Stock; or

(viii) for accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

(j) All calculations and other determinations under this Article 14 shall be made by the Company and shall be made to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000th) of a share.

(k) If an adjustment to the Conversion Rate otherwise required by this Section 14.04 would result in a change of less than 1% to the Conversion Rate, then, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, at its election, defer and carry forward such adjustment, except that all such deferred adjustments must be given effect immediately upon the earliest to occur of the following: (i) when all such deferred adjustments would result in an aggregate change of at least 1% to the Conversion Rate, (ii) each Trading Day of any Observation Period related to any conversion of Notes, (iii) February 15, 2028 and (iv) the effective date of any Fundamental Change and/or Make-Whole Fundamental Change, in each case, unless the adjustment has already been made.

(l) Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee (and the Conversion Agent if not the Trustee) an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume without inquiry that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such Officer’s Certificate, the Company shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall deliver such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee). Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment to the Conversion Rate.

(m) For purposes of this Section 14.04, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares of Common Stock held in as treasury stock so long as the Company does not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held as treasury stock, but shall include shares of Common Stock issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock.

 

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Section 14.05. Adjustments of Prices. Whenever any provision of this Indenture requires the Company to calculate the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAP, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts or the Daily Settlement Amounts over a span of multiple days (including, without limitation, an Observation Period and the period, if any, for determining the Stock Price for purposes of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change), the Company shall, in good faith, make appropriate adjustments (without duplication in respect of any adjustment made pursuant to Section 14.04) to each of the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAP, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts and/or the Daily Settlement Amounts, as the case may be, to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date, Effective Date or expiration date, as the case may be, of the event occurs, at any time during the period when the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAP, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts or the Daily Settlement Amounts are to be calculated.

Section 14.06. Shares to Be Fully Paid. The Company shall at all times reserve, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (a) the number of outstanding Notes and (b) the Conversion Rate (assuming the Conversion Rate has been increased by the maximum number of Additional Shares pursuant to Section 14.03), to provide for conversion of the Notes from time to time as such Notes are presented for conversion.

Section 14.07. Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock.

(a) In the case of:

(i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than a change to par value, or from par value to no par value, or changes resulting from a subdivision or combination),

(ii) any consolidation, merger, combination or similar transaction involving the Company,

(iii) any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety or

(iv) any statutory share exchange,

in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such event, a “Share Exchange Event”), then, at and after the effective time of such Share Exchange Event, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such Share Exchange Event would have owned or been entitled to receive (the

 

84


Reference Property,” with each “unit of Reference Property” meaning the kind and amount of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock is entitled to receive) upon such Share Exchange Event and, prior to or at the effective time of such Share Exchange Event, the Company or the successor or acquiring Person, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture permitted under Section 10.01(g) providing for such change in the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes; provided, however, that at and after the effective time of the Share Exchange Event (A) the amount otherwise payable in cash upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall continue to be payable in cash, (B) the Company or the successor or acquiring Person, as the case may be, shall continue to have the right to determine the form of consideration to be paid or delivered, as the case may be, in respect of the remainder, if any, of the Conversion Obligation in excess of the principal amount of the Notes being converted in accordance with Section 14.02, (C) any shares of Common Stock that the Company would have been required to deliver upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall instead be deliverable in the amount and type of Reference Property that a holder of that number of shares of Common Stock would have received in such Share Exchange Event and (D) the Daily VWAP shall be calculated based on the value of a unit of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock would have received in such Share Exchange Event.

If the Share Exchange Event causes the Common Stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), then (i) the Reference Property into which the Notes will be convertible shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of Common Stock, and (ii) the unit of Reference Property for purposes of the immediately preceding paragraph shall refer to the consideration referred to in the immediately preceding clause (i) attributable to one share of Common Stock. The Company shall notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of such weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made. If the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash in such Share Exchange Event, then for all conversions of the Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the effective date of such Share Exchange Event (A) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date (as may be increased by any Additional Shares pursuant to Section 14.03), multiplied by the price paid per share of Common Stock in such Share Exchange Event and (B) the Company shall satisfy the Conversion Obligation by paying cash to converting Holders on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date.

If the Reference Property in respect of any such Share Exchange Event includes, in whole or in part, shares of Common Equity or American depositary receipts (or other interests) in respect thereof, such supplemental indenture described in the second immediately preceding paragraph shall provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as is possible to the adjustments provided for in this Article 14 with respect to the portion of the Reference Property consisting of such Common Equity or American depositary receipts (or other interests) in respect thereof. If, in the case of any Share Exchange Event, the Reference Property includes shares of stock, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof), other than cash and/or cash equivalents, of a Person other than the

 

85


Company or the successor or acquiring Person, as the case may be, in such Share Exchange Event, then such supplemental indenture shall also be executed by such other Person, if such Person is an Affiliate of the Company or the successor or acquiring Person, and shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders as the Company shall in good faith reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing, including the provisions providing for the purchase rights set forth in Article 15.

(b) When the Company executes a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 14.07(a), the Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of cash, securities or property or asset that will comprise a unit of Reference Property after any such Share Exchange Event, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all conditions precedent have been complied with, and shall promptly deliver or cause to be delivered notice thereof to all Holders. The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental indenture to be delivered to each Holder within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.

(c) The Company shall not become a party to any Share Exchange Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section 14.07. None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a Holder of Notes to convert its Notes into cash up to the aggregate principal amount of such Notes and cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, in respect of the remainder, if any, of the Conversion Obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes as set forth in Section 14.01 and Section 14.02 prior to the effective date of such Share Exchange Event.

(d) The provisions of this Section 14.07 shall similarly apply to successive Share Exchange Events.

(e) In connection with any Share Exchange Event, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be subject to adjustment as described in clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii) below, as the case may be.

(i) In the case of a Share Exchange Event in which the Reference Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to Section 14.07(a) and excluding any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed entirely of shares of common stock or American depositary receipts (or other interests) in respect thereof (the “Share Exchange Common Stock”), the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Share Exchange Event shall be equal to (x) the Initial Dividend Threshold immediately prior to the effective time of such Share Exchange Event, divided by (y) the number of shares of Share Exchange Common Stock that a holder of one share of Common Stock would receive in such Share Exchange Event (such quotient rounded down to the nearest cent).

(ii) In the case of a Share Exchange Event in which the Reference Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to Section 14.07(a) and excluding any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed in part of shares of Share Exchange Common Stock, the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Share Exchange Event shall be equal to (x) the Initial Dividend Threshold immediately prior to the effective time of such Share Exchange Event, multiplied by (y) the Share Exchange Valuation Percentage for such Share Exchange Event (such product rounded down to the nearest cent).

 

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(iii) For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a Share Exchange Event in which the Reference Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to Section 14.07(a) and excluding any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed entirely of consideration other than Share Exchange Common Stock, the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Share Exchange Event shall be equal to zero.

Section 14.08. Certain Covenants(a) . (a) The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Notes will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Company and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

(b) The Company covenants that, if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for the purpose of conversion of Notes hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law before such shares of Common Stock may be validly issued upon conversion, the Company will, to the extent then permitted by the rules and interpretations of the Commission, secure such registration or approval, as the case may be.

(c) The Company further covenants that if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system the Company will list and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, any Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.

Section 14.09. Responsibility of Trustee and any other Conversion Agent. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine the Conversion Rate (or any adjustment thereto) or whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment (including any increase) of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities, property or cash that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee and any other Conversion Agent make no representations with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article 14. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 14.07 relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in such Section 14.07 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, may accept (without any independent investigation) as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officer’s Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to file with the Trustee prior to the execution

 

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of any such supplemental indenture) with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent shall be responsible for determining whether any event contemplated by Section 14.01(b) has occurred that makes the Notes eligible for conversion or no longer eligible therefor until the Company has delivered to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent the notices referred to in Section 14.01(b) with respect to the commencement or termination of such conversion rights, on which notices the Trustee and the Conversion Agent may conclusively rely, and the Company agrees to deliver such notices to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent immediately after the occurrence of any such event or at such other times as shall be provided for in Section 14.01(b).

Section 14.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions. In case of any:

(a) action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04 or Section 14.11; or

(b) voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

then, in each case (unless notice of such event is otherwise required pursuant to another provision of this Indenture), the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and to be delivered to each Holder, as promptly as possible but in any event at least 10 days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record are to be determined for the purposes of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) the date on which such dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding-up. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or such dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, as the case may be.

Section 14.11. Stockholder Rights Plans. If the Company has a stockholder rights plan in effect upon conversion of the Notes, each share of Common Stock, if any, issued upon such conversion shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of rights, if any, and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon such conversion shall bear such legends, if any, in each case as may be provided by the terms of any such stockholder rights plan, as the same may be amended from time to time. However, if, prior to any conversion of Notes, the rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable stockholder rights plan, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Company distributed to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock Distributed Property as provided in Section 14.04(c), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

 

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Section 14.12. Exchange in Lieu of Conversion.

(a) When a Holder surrenders its Notes for conversion, the Company may, at its election (an “Exchange Election”), direct the Conversion Agent to deliver, on or prior to the Trading Day immediately following the Conversion Date, such Notes to one or more financial institutions designated by the Company (each, a “Designated Financial Institution”) for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any Notes surrendered for conversion, the Designated Financial Institution(s) must agree to timely pay and deliver, as the case may be, in exchange for such Notes, cash up to the aggregate principal amount of such Notes and the cash, shares of Common Stock or combination thereof, at the Company’s election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of the Conversion Obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes that would otherwise be due upon conversion pursuant to Section 14.02 or such other amount agreed to by the Holder and the Designated Financial Institution(s) (the “Conversion Consideration”). If the Company makes an Exchange Election, the Company shall, by the close of business on the Trading Day following the relevant Conversion Date, notify in writing the Trustee, the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and the Holder surrendering Notes for conversion that the Company has made the Exchange Election, and the Company shall promptly notify the Designated Financial Institution(s) of the relevant deadline for delivery of the Conversion Consideration and the applicable Cash Percentage. The Company, the Holder surrendering the Notes for conversion, the Designated Financial Institution(s) and the Conversion Agent shall cooperate to cause such Notes to be delivered to the Designated Financial Institution(s) and the Conversion Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon the Company’s instruction in connection with effecting any Exchange Election and shall have no liability for such Exchange Election outside its control.

(b) Any Notes delivered to the Designated Financial Institution(s) shall remain outstanding, subject to the applicable procedures of the Depositary. If the Designated Financial Institution(s) agree(s) to accept any Notes for exchange but does not timely pay and deliver, as the case may be, the related Conversion Consideration, or if such Designated Financial Institution(s) does not accept the Notes for exchange, the Company shall pay and deliver, as the case may be, the relevant Conversion Consideration, as, and at the time, required pursuant to this Indenture as if the Company had not made the Exchange Election.

(c) The Company’s designation of any Designated Financial Institution(s) to which the Notes may be submitted for exchange does not require such Designated Financial Institution(s) to accept any Notes.

ARTICLE 15

REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 15.01. [Intentionally Omitted].

Section 15.02. Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change.

(a) Subject to Section 15.02(e), if a Fundamental Change occurs at any time, each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes, or any portion of the principal amount thereof properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to Section 15.03 that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of

 

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$1,000, on the date (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Date”) specified by the Company that is not less than 20 Business Days or more than 35 Business Days following the date of the Fundamental Change Company Notice at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Price”), unless the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the Interest Payment Date to which such Regular Record Date relates, in which case the Company shall instead pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to Holders of record as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date on, or at the Company’s election, before such Interest Payment Date, and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased pursuant to this Article 15.

(b) Repurchases of Notes under this Section 15.02 shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:

(i) delivery to the Paying Agent by a Holder of a duly completed written notice (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice”) in the form set forth in Attachment 2 to the Form of Note, if the Notes are Physical Notes, or in compliance with the Depositary’s applicable procedures for surrendering interests in Global Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in each case, on or before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; and

(ii) delivery of the Notes, if the Notes are Physical Notes, to the Paying Agent at any time after delivery of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (together with all necessary endorsements for transfer) at the office of the Paying Agent, or book-entry transfer of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in compliance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary, in each case, such delivery or transfer being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price therefor.

The Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in respect of any Physical Notes to be repurchased shall state:

(iii) the certificate numbers of the Notes to be delivered for repurchase;

(iv) the portion of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased, which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; and

(v) that the Notes are to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and this Indenture.

If the Notes are Global Notes, to exercise the Fundamental Change repurchase right, Holders must surrender their Notes in accordance with applicable Depositary procedures.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the Paying Agent the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 15.02 shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 15.03.

 

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The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

(b) On or before the 20th Business Day after the occurrence of the effective date of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide to all Holders and the Trustee and the Paying Agent (in the case of a Paying Agent other than the Trustee) a written notice (the “Fundamental Change Company Notice”) of the occurrence of the effective date of the Fundamental Change and of the resulting repurchase right at the option of the Holders arising as a result thereof. In the case of Physical Notes, such notice shall be by first class mail or, in the case of Global Notes, such notice shall be delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary. Simultaneously with providing such notice, the Company shall publish such information on the Company’s website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time. Each Fundamental Change Company Notice shall specify, among other things:

(i) the events causing the Fundamental Change;

(ii) the effective date of the Fundamental Change;

(iii) the last date on which a Holder may exercise the repurchase right pursuant to this Article 15;

(iv) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;

(v) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date;

(vi) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent, if applicable;

(vii) if applicable, the Conversion Rate and any adjustments to the Conversion Rate as a result of the Fundamental Change (or related Make-Whole Fundamental Change);

(viii) that the Notes with respect to which a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice has been delivered by a Holder may be converted only if the Holder withdraws the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(ix) the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Company to repurchase their Notes.

No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the Holders’ repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 15.02.

 

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At the Company’s written request, given at least five days prior to the date the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice is to be sent (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), the Trustee shall give such notice in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that, in all cases, the text of such Fundamental Change Company Notice shall be prepared by the Company.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 15, the Company shall not be required to repurchase, or to make an offer to repurchase, the Notes upon a Fundamental Change if a third party makes such an offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth in this Article 15 and such third party purchases all Notes properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn under its offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company as set forth above.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes may be repurchased by the Company on any date at the option of the Holders upon a Fundamental Change if repayment of the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes). The Paying Agent will promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any Physical Notes held by it during the acceleration of the Notes (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes), or any instructions for book-entry transfer of the Notes in compliance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary shall be deemed to have been cancelled, and, upon such return or cancellation, as the case may be, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 15.02, the Company shall not be required to send a Fundamental Change Company Notice, or offer to repurchase or repurchase any Notes, as set forth in this Article 15, in connection with a Fundamental Change occurring pursuant to clause (b)(A) or (B) of the definition of “Fundamental Change”, if: (i) such Fundamental Change constitutes a Share Exchange Event whose Reference Property consists entirely of cash in U.S. dollars; (ii) immediately after such Fundamental Change, the Notes become convertible (pursuant to Section 14.07 and, if applicable, Section 14.03) into consideration that consists solely of U.S. dollars in an amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes that equals or exceeds the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (calculated assuming that the same includes the maximum amount of accrued but unpaid interest payable as part of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price for such Fundamental Change); and (iii) the Company timely sends the notice relating to such Fundamental Change required pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(iii) and identifies in such notice the Fundamental Change as an “Exempted Fundamental Change” under this Section 15.02(e). Any Fundamental Change with respect to which, in accordance with the provisions described in this Section 15.02(e), the Company does not offer to repurchase any Notes is referred to as herein as an “Exempted Fundamental Change.”

 

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Section 15.03. Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice(a) . (a) A Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) in respect of Physical Notes by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the office of the applicable Paying Agent in accordance with this Section 15.03 at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, specifying:

(i) the principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof,

(ii) the certificate number of the Note in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

(iii) the principal amount, if any, of such Note that remains subject to the original Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, which portion must be in principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000;

If the Notes are Global Notes, Holders must withdraw their Notes subject to repurchase at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date in accordance with applicable procedures of the Depositary.

Section 15.04. Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price(a) . (a) The Company will deposit with the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company, or if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04) on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date an amount of money sufficient to repurchase all of the Notes to be repurchased at the appropriate Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Subject to receipt of funds and/or Notes by the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company), payment for Notes surrendered for repurchase (and not validly withdrawn prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) will be made on the later of (i) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (provided the Holder has satisfied the conditions in Section 15.02) and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of such Note to the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Section 15.02 by mailing checks for the amount payable to the Holders of such Notes entitled thereto as they shall appear in the Note Register; provided, however, that payments to the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Trustee shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

(b) If by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) holds money sufficient to pay the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price (and, to the extent not included in the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, accrued and unpaid interest, if applicable) of the Notes to be repurchased on such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, then, with respect to the Notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and have not been validly withdrawn, (i) such Notes will cease to be outstanding, (ii) interest will cease to accrue on such Notes (whether or

 

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not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or whether or not the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee or Paying Agent) and (iii) all other rights of the Holders of such Notes will terminate (other than the right to receive the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and, to the extent not included in the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, accrued and unpaid interest, if applicable).

(c) Upon surrender of a Note that is to be repurchased in part pursuant to Section 15.02, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Note in an authorized denomination equal in principal amount to the unrepurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 15.05. Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes. In connection with any repurchase offer upon a Fundamental Change pursuant to this Article 15, the Company will, if required:

(a) comply with the tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable;

(b) file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act; and

(c) otherwise comply in all material respects with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by the Company to repurchase the Notes;

in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under this Article 15 to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in this Article 15.

To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations enacted or adopted after the date of this Indenture conflict with the provisions of this Indenture relating to the Company’s obligations to repurchase the Notes upon a Fundamental Change, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such conflict.

ARTICLE 16

NO REDEMPTION

Section 16.01. No Redemption. The Notes shall not be redeemable by the Company prior to the Maturity Date, and no sinking fund is provided for the Notes.

ARTICLE 17

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Companys Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor contained in this Indenture shall bind its respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

 

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Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or Officer of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any corporation or other Person that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders on the Company or on any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if given or served by overnight courier or by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Company with the Trustee) to Meritage Homes Corporation, 18655 North Claret Drive, Suite 400, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255; Attention Corporate Secretary, Chief Financial Officer; Fax Number: (480) 627-5022. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be in writing and be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed to the Corporate Trust Office or sent electronically in PDF format to an email address specified by the Trustee.

The Trustee, by notice to the Company, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Physical Notes shall be mailed to it by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to it if so mailed within the time prescribed. Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Global Notes shall be delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary and shall be sufficiently given to it if so delivered within the time prescribed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any Fundamental Change Company Notice) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

Failure to mail or deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or delivered, as the case may be, in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

 

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Section 17.04. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS INDENTURE AND EACH NOTE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

The Company irrevocably consents and agrees, for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Notes and the Trustee, that any legal action, suit or proceeding against it with respect to obligations, liabilities or any other matter arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the Notes may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and, until amounts due and to become due in respect of the Notes have been paid, hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in personam, generally and unconditionally with respect to any action, suit or proceeding for itself in respect of its properties, assets and revenues.

The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Indenture brought in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States located in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, New York and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 17.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Indenture and that in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with.

Each Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel provided for, by or on behalf of the Company in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with this Indenture (other than the Officer’s Certificates provided for in Section 4.08) shall include (a) a statement that the person signing such certificate is familiar with the requested action and this Indenture; (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement contained in such certificate is based; (c) a statement that, in the judgment of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed judgment as to whether or not such action is permitted by this Indenture; and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the judgment of such person, such action is permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with. With respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 17.05, if any provision in this Indenture specifically provides that the Trustee shall or may receive an Opinion of Counsel in connection with any action to be taken by the Trustee or the Company hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to, or entitled to request, such Opinion of Counsel.

 

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Section 17.06. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, then any action to be taken on such date need not be taken on such date, but may be taken on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if taken on such date, and no interest shall accrue in respect of the delay.

Section 17.07. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.

Section 17.08. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the Holders, the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 17.09. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 17.10. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Section 2.04, Section 2.05, Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Section 10.04 and Section 15.04 as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.08.

Any corporation or other entity into which any authenticating agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation or other entity is otherwise eligible under this Section 17.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation or other entity.

 

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Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor authenticating agent (which may be the Trustee), shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall deliver notice of such appointment to all Holders.

The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services although the Company may terminate the authenticating agent, if it determines such agent’s fees to be unreasonable.

The provisions of Section 7.02, Section 7.03, Section 7.04, Section 8.03 and this Section 17.10 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.

If an authenticating agent is appointed pursuant to this Section 17.10, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:

__________________________,

as Authenticating Agent, certifies that this is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.

 

By:    
Authorized Officer

Section 17.11. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of the signature page to this Indenture by email, facsimile, portable document format (pdf) or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000 (including DocuSign) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Indenture. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the other parties hereto shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 17.12. Severability. In the event any provision of this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

Section 17.13. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY AND THE HOLDERS BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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Section 17.14. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, (i) labor disputes, strikes or work stoppages, (ii) accidents, (iii) acts of war or terrorism, (iv) civil or military disturbances or unrest, (v) nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, (vi) epidemics or pandemics, (vii) disease, (viii) quarantine, (ix) national emergency, (x) interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services outside of the Trustee’s control, (xi) communications system failure, (xii) malware or ransomware, (xiii) the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire, telex or other communication or wire facility, or (xiv) unavailability of any securities clearing system; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 17.15. Calculations. The Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Stock Price, the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Common Stock, the Trading Price of the Notes (for purposes of determining whether the Notes are convertible as described herein), the Daily VWAP, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Net Settlement Amounts, the Daily Settlement Amounts, accrued interest payable on the Notes and the Conversion Rate of the Notes. The Company shall make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, the Company’s calculations shall be final and binding on Holders of Notes. The Company shall provide a schedule of its calculations to each of the Trustee and the Conversion Agent, and each of the Trustee and Conversion Agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of Notes upon the request of that Holder at the sole cost and expense of the Company.

Section 17.16. USA PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Section 17.17. Electronic Signatures. All notices, approvals, consents, requests and any communications hereunder must be in writing (provided that any communication sent to the Trustee hereunder must be in the form of a document that is signed manually or by way of a digital signature provided by DocuSign (or such other digital signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000 or otherwise specified in writing to the Trustee by the authorized representative), in English). The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

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The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means (as defined below); provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Company; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.

For purposes of this Indenture, “Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.

Section 17.18. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. In order to comply with Sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the rules and regulations thereunder (as in effect from time to time, collectively, the “Applicable Law”), the Company agrees (i) to provide to the Trustee upon its request information in the Company’s possession about holders or other applicable parties and/or transactions (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) so the Trustee can determine whether it has tax related obligations under the Applicable Law, and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with the Applicable Law for which the Trustee shall not have any liability for its withholding or deduction from payment under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law and (iii) to hold harmless the Trustee for any losses it may suffer due to the actions it takes to comply with such Applicable Law. The terms of this section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION,

as Company

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE PASEO CROSSING, LLC,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
MERITAGE PASEO CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
as Subsidiary Guarantor
By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES OF ARIZONA, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
MERITAGE HOMES CONSTRUCTION, INC.,
as Subsidiary Guarantor
By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
 

Title:

  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


MERITAGE HOMES OF TEXAS HOLDING, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
MERITAGE HOMES OF CALIFORNIA, INC.,
as Subsidiary Guarantor
By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES OF TEXAS JOINT VENTURE HOLDING COMPANY, LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC
Its: Sole Member

 

By: Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.
Its: Sole Member

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOLDINGS, LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.
Its: Sole Member

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


MERITAGE HOMES OF NEVADA, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MTH-CAVALIER, LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.
Its: Sole Member

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MTH GOLF, LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.
Its: Sole Member

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES OF COLORADO, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES OF FLORIDA, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


CALIFORNIA URBAN HOMES, LLC,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes of California, Inc.
Its: Sole Member and Manager

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES OF TEXAS, LLC,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.
Its: Sole Member

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES OPERATING
COMPANY, LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Holdings, L.L.C.
Its: Manager

 

By: Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.
Its: Sole Member

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


WW PROJECT SELLER, LLC

 

By: Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC
Its: Sole Member

 

By: Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.
Its: Sole Member

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES OF THE CAROLINAS, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
CAREFREE TITLE AGENCY, INC.
By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

M&M FORT MYERS HOLDINGS, LLC,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC
Its: Sole Member and Manager

 

By: Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.
Its: Sole Member

By:   /s/ Hilla Sferruzza
  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


MERITAGE HOMES OF FLORIDA REALTY, LLC,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc.
Its: Sole Member and Manager

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES OF TENNESSEE, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MTH REALTY LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC
Its: Sole Member and Manager

 

By: Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.
Its: Sole Member

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


MERITAGE HOMES OF GEORGIA, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MTH GA REALTY LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes of Georgia, Inc.
Its: Sole Member and Manager

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MTH SC REALTY LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes of South Carolina, Inc.
Its: Sole Member and Manager

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MTH FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
MLC HOLDINGS, INC. DBA MLC LAND HOLDINGS, INC , as Subsidiary Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


MERITAGE HOMES OF GEORGIA REALTY, LLC,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

By: Meritage Homes of Georgia, Inc.
Its: Sole Member and Manager

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
MERITAGE HOMES OF UTAH, INC., as Subsidiary Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE SERVICES COMPANY, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

MERITAGE HOMES INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.,

as Subsidiary Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Hilla Sferruzza

  Name:   Hilla Sferruzza
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
REGIONS BANK, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Craig A. Kaye

  Name:   Craig A. Kaye
  Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A GLOBAL NOTE]

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREUNDER IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A RESTRICTED SECURITY]

[THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK OR OTHER CAPITAL STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:

(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, AND

(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:

(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR

(B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

 

A-1


(C) TO A PERSON REASONABLY BELIEVED TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION OR PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION DURING THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THREE MONTHS MAY PURCHASE, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.]

 

A-2


Meritage Homes Corporation

1.75% Convertible Senior Note due 2028

 

No. [_____]    [Initially]1 $[_____________]
CUSIP No. [_____]   

Meritage Homes Corporation, a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation or other entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.]2 [_______]3, or registered assigns, the principal sum [as set forth in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Notes” attached hereto]4 [of $[_______]]5, which amount, taken together with the principal amounts of all other outstanding Notes, shall not, unless permitted by the Indenture, exceed $575,000,000 in aggregate at any time, on May 15, 2028, and interest thereon as set forth below.

This Note shall bear interest at the rate of 1.75% per year from May 9, 2024, or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date until May 15, 2028. Interest is payable semiannually in arrears on each May 15 and November 15, commencing on November 15, 2024, to Holders of record at the close of business on the preceding May 1 and November 1 (whether or not such day is a Business Day), respectively. Additional Interest will be payable as set forth in Section 4.06(d), Section 4.06(e) and Section 6.03 of the within-mentioned Indenture, and any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note therein shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be accruing or payable pursuant to any of such Section 4.06(d), Section 4.06(e) or Section 6.03, and any express mention of the payment of Additional Interest in any provision therein shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions thereof where such express mention is not made.

Any Defaulted Amounts shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes, subject to the enforceability thereof under applicable law, from, and including, the relevant payment date to, but excluding, the date on which such Defaulted Amounts shall have been paid by the Company, at its election, in accordance with Section 2.03(c) of the Indenture.

The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on this Note, if and so long as such Note is a Global Note, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Note. As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall pay the principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global Notes) at the office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Note Registrar in respect of the Notes and its Corporate Trust Office in the contiguous United States of America as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer and exchange.

 

1 

Include if a global note.

2 

Include if a global note.

3 

Include if a physical note.

4 

Include if a global note.

5 

Include if a physical note.

 

A-3


Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, including, without limitation, provisions giving the Holder of this Note the right to convert this Note into cash and, if applicable, shares of Common Stock on the terms and subject to the limitations set forth in the Indenture. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Note, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control and govern.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually or electronically by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

A-4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.

 

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
REGIONS BANK, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

A-5


[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

Meritage Homes Corporation

1.75% Convertible Senior Note due 2028

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”), limited to the aggregate principal amount of $575,000,000, all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May 9, 2024 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and Regions Bank (the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Notes. Additional Notes may be issued in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture. Capitalized terms used in this Note and not defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Indenture.

In case certain Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of, and interest on, all Notes may be declared, by either the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions and certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company will make all payments and deliveries in respect of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and the principal amount on the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the Holder who surrenders a Note to a Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of the Note. The Company will pay cash amounts in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee in certain circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, and in certain other circumstances, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures modifying the terms of the Indenture and the Notes as described therein. It is also provided in the Indenture that, subject to certain exceptions, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences.

Each Holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the lawful money or shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, herein prescribed.

 

A-6


The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, without payment of any service charge but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer or similar tax that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such exchange of Notes being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such exchange.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund or otherwise.

Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change (other than an Exempted Fundamental Change), the Holder has the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date at a price equal to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder hereof has the right, at its option, during certain periods and upon the occurrence of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, to convert this Note or portion hereof that is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof, into cash up to the principal amount hereof and cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, in respect of the remainder, if any, of the Company’s Conversion Obligation hereof in excess of the principal amount hereof at the Conversion Rate specified in the Indenture, as adjusted from time to time as provided in the Indenture.

 

A-7


ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM = as tenants in common

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT = Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

CUST = Custodian

TEN ENT = as tenants by the entireties

JT TEN = joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

A-8


SCHEDULE A6

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES

Meritage Homes Corporation

1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is _______ DOLLARS ($[_________]). The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of exchange

  

Amount of

decrease in

principal amount

of this Global Note

  

Amount of

increase in

principal amount

of this Global Note

  

Principal amount

of this Global Note
following such

decrease or

increase

  

Signature of

authorized

signatory of

Trustee or

Custodian

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

6 

Include if a global note.

 

A-9


ATTACHMENT 1

[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION]

To: Regions Bank

10245 Centurion Parkway

Second Floor

Jacksonville, FL 32256

Attention: Corporate Trust Services

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion hereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, into cash and, as applicable, shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that any cash payable and any shares of Common Stock issuable and deliverable upon such conversion, together with any cash for any fractional share, and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered Holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If any shares of Common Stock or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes, if any in accordance with Section 14.02(d) and Section 14.02(e) of the Indenture. Any amount required to be paid to the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Note. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

 

Dated:                                  
       
      Signature(s)
       
Signature Guarantee      
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible Guarantor Institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if shares of Common Stock are to be issued, or Notes are to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder.      

 

1


Fill in for registration of shares if to be issued, and Notes if to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder:      
       
(Name)      
       
(Street Address)      
       
(City, State and Zip Code)      
Please print name and address      
      Principal amount to be converted (if less than all): $______,000
      NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
       
      Social Security or Other Taxpayer
     

Identification Number

 

2


ATTACHMENT 2

[FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REPURCHASE NOTICE]

To: Regions Bank

10245 Centurion Parkway

Second Floor

Jacksonville, FL 32256

Attention: Corporate Trust Services

The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Meritage Homes Corporation (the “Company”) as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and specifying the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and requests and instructs the Company to pay to the registered holder hereof in accordance with Section 15.02 of the Indenture referred to in this Note (1) the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, and (2) if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date does not fall during the period after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

In the case of Physical Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be repurchased are as set forth below:

 

Dated: ________________      
      Signature(s)
       
      Social Security or Other Taxpayer
      Identification Number
      Principal amount to be repaid (if less than all): $______,000
      NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

1


ATTACHMENT 3

[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER]

For value received ____________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto _________________ (Please insert social security or Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints _____________________ attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of Meritage Homes Corporation (the “Company”), with full power of substitution in the premises.

In connection with any transfer of the within Note occurring prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, as defined in the Indenture governing such Note, the undersigned confirms that such Note is being transferred:

☐ To the Company or a subsidiary thereof; or

☐ Pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

☐ Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

☐ Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (if available), or any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

1


Dated: ________________________
 
 
Signature(s)
 
Signature Guarantee
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible Guarantor Institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission
Rule 17Ad-15 if Notes are to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder.

NOTICE: The signature on the assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

2


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY

SUBSEQUENT SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of [_____], 20[__] (this “Supplemental Indenture”), among [_____] (the “Additional Subsidiary Guarantor”), a subsidiary of MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (or its permitted successor) (the “Company”), the Company, the other Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and REGIONS BANK, an Alabama banking corporation, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of May 9, 2024 (the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 10.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. Agreement to Guarantee. The Additional Subsidiary Guarantor hereby becomes a party to the Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor and as such shall have all of the rights and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture. The Additional Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, on a joint and several basis with all the existing Subsidiary Guarantors, to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 13 thereof.

3. Ratification of Indenture – Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

B-1


4. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest on any Note, nor for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture, in this Supplemental Indenture or in any Note, nor because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, Officer or director or Subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any Additional Subsidiary Guarantor or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company, any Additional Subsidiary Guarantor or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

5. GOVERNING LAW. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

6. Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

7. Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture and signature pages for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile, PDF or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the other parties hereto shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

8. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

9. The Trustee. In entering into this Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to the benefit of every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee, whether or not elsewhere herein so provided. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity, execution or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture other than as to the validity of its execution and delivery by the Trustee. The Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the recitals contained herein, which are made solely by the Additional Subsidiary Guarantor and the Company.

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: [_____], 202[_]

 

[ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
REGIONS BANK, as Trustee
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

3

Exhibit 10.1

[Dealer’s name]

[Dealer’s address]1

May 6, 2024

 

To:

Meritage Homes Corporation

18655 North Claret Drive, Suite 400

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Attention: [   ]

Telephone: [   ]

Email: [    ]

Attention: [    ]

Telephone: [   ]

Email: [    ]

 

Re:

Base Call Option Transaction

The purpose of this letter agreement (this “Confirmation”) is to confirm the terms and conditions of the call option transaction entered into between [DEALER] (“Dealer”) and Meritage Homes Corporation (“Counterparty”) as of the Trade Date specified below (the “Transaction”). This letter agreement constitutes a “Confirmation” as referred to in the ISDA Master Agreement specified below. Each party further agrees that this Confirmation together with the Agreement evidence a complete binding agreement between Counterparty and Dealer as to the subject matter and terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates, and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.

The definitions and provisions contained in the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the “Equity Definitions”), as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”), are incorporated into this Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between the Equity Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern. Certain defined terms used herein are based on terms that are defined in the Offering Memorandum dated May 6, 2024 (the “Offering Memorandum”) relating to the [__]% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (as originally issued by Counterparty, the “Convertible Notes” and each USD 1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, a “Convertible Note”) issued by Counterparty in an aggregate initial principal amount of USD 500,000,000 (as increased by up to an aggregate principal amount of USD 75,000,000 if and to the extent that the Initial Purchasers (as defined below) exercise their option to purchase additional Convertible Notes pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated as of May 6, 2024, among Counterparty and [ ], as representatives of the Initial Purchasers party thereto (the “Initial Purchasers”)), pursuant to an Indenture to be dated May 9, 2024 between Counterparty and Regions Bank, as trustee (the “Indenture”). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms defined in the Offering Memorandum, the Indenture and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern. The parties acknowledge that this Confirmation is entered into on the date hereof with the understanding that (i) definitions set forth in the Indenture that are also defined herein by reference to the Indenture and (ii) sections of the Indenture that are referred to herein will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum. If any such definitions in the Indenture or any such sections of the Indenture differ from the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum, the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum will govern for purposes of this Confirmation. The parties further acknowledge that the Indenture section numbers and cross-references used herein are based on the draft of the Indenture last reviewed by Dealer as of the date of this Confirmation, and if any such section numbers or cross-references are changed in the Indenture as executed, the parties will amend this Confirmation in good faith to preserve the intent of the parties. Subject to the foregoing, references to the Indenture herein are references to the Indenture as in effect on the date of its execution, and if the Indenture is amended or supplemented following such date (other than any amendment or supplement (x) pursuant to Section 10.01(h) of the Indenture that, as determined by the Calculation Agent, conforms the Indenture to the description of Convertible Notes in the Offering Memorandum or (y) pursuant to Section 14.07 of the Indenture, subject, in the case of this clause (y), to the second paragraph under “Method of Adjustment” in Section 3 of this Confirmation), any such amendment or supplement will be disregarded for purposes of this Confirmation (other than as provided in Section 9(i)(iii) of this Confirmation) unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. For the purposes of the Equity Definitions, the Transaction shall be deemed to be a Share Option Transaction.

 

1 

Include Dealer name, address and, if applicable, logo.


Each party is hereby advised, and each such party acknowledges, that the other party has engaged in, or refrained from engaging in, substantial financial transactions and has taken other material actions in reliance upon the parties’ entry into the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates on the terms and conditions set forth below.

1. This Confirmation evidences a complete and binding agreement between Dealer and Counterparty as to the terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. This Confirmation shall supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement in the form of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement (the “Agreement”) as if Dealer and Counterparty had executed an agreement in such form on the Trade Date (but without any Schedule except for (i) the election of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law (without reference to choice of law doctrine other than Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law); (ii) the election of US Dollars as the Termination Currency; (iii) the election that the “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement shall apply solely to Dealer with a “Threshold Amount” of three percent of the shareholders’ equity of [Dealer][Dealer’s ultimate parent] as of the Trade Date; provided that (A) “Specified Indebtedness” shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of Dealer’s banking business, (B) the phrase “or becoming capable at such time of being declared” shall be deleted from clause (1) of such Section 5(a)(vi) and (C) the following sentence shall be added to the end of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement: “Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under subsection (2) hereof shall not constitute an Event of Default if (i) the default was caused solely by error or omission of an administrative or operational nature; (ii) funds were available to enable the party to make the payment when due; and (iii) the payment is made within two Local Business Days of such party’s receipt of written notice of its failure to pay.” and (iv) the modification that following the payment of the Premium, the condition precedent in Section 2(a)(iii) of the Agreement with respect to Events of Default or Potential Events of Default (other than an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default arising under Section 5(a)(ii), 5(a)(iv) or 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement) shall not apply to a payment or delivery owing by Dealer to Counterparty). In the event of any inconsistency between provisions of the Agreement and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. The parties hereby agree that no transaction other than the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates shall be governed by the Agreement. If there exists any ISDA Master Agreement between Dealer and Counterparty or any confirmation or other agreement between Dealer and Counterparty pursuant to which an ISDA Master Agreement is deemed to exist between Dealer and Counterparty, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in such ISDA Master Agreement, such confirmation or agreement or any other agreement to which Dealer and Counterparty are parties, the Transaction shall not be considered a Transaction under, or otherwise governed by, such existing or deemed ISDA Master Agreement.

2. The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:

 

General Terms.

  

Trade Date:

   May 6, 2024

Effective Date:

   The second Exchange Business Day immediately prior to the Premium Payment Date

Option Style:

   “Modified American”, as described under “Procedures for Exercise” below

Option Type:

   Call

Buyer:

   Counterparty

Seller:

   Dealer

Shares:

   The common stock of Counterparty, par value USD 0.01 per share (Exchange symbol “MTH”).

 

2


Number of Options:

   [ ]. For the avoidance of doubt, the Number of Options shall be reduced by any Options exercised or deemed exercised by Counterparty. In no event will the Number of Options be less than zero.

Applicable Percentage:

   [__]%

Option Entitlement:

   A number equal to the product of the Applicable Percentage and [______]2.

Strike Price:

   USD [______]

Cap Price:

   USD [______]; provided that in no event shall the Cap Price be reduced to an amount less than the Strike Price in connection with any adjustment by the Calculation Agent under this Confirmation.

Premium:

   USD [______]

Premium Payment Date:

   May 9, 2024

Exchange:

   The New York Stock Exchange

Related Exchange(s):

   All Exchanges

Excluded Provisions:

   Section 14.04(h) and Section 14.03 of the Indenture.

Procedures for Exercise.

  

Conversion Date:

   With respect to any conversion of a Convertible Note (other than (1) any conversion of Convertible Notes with a Conversion Date occurring prior to the Free Convertibility Date and (2) any conversion of Convertible Notes occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date in connection with a “Make-Whole Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture) (any such conversion described in (1) or (2), above, an “Early Conversion”), to which the provisions of Section 9(i)(i) of this Confirmation shall apply), the date on which the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of such Convertible Note satisfies all of the requirements for conversion thereof as set forth in Section 14.02(b) of the Indenture; provided that if Counterparty has not delivered to Dealer a related Notice of Exercise, then in no event shall a Conversion Date be deemed to occur hereunder (and no Option shall be exercised or deemed to be exercised hereunder) with respect to any surrender of a Convertible Note for conversion in respect of which Counterparty has elected to designate a financial institution for exchange in lieu of conversion of such Convertible Note pursuant to Section 14.12 of the Indenture.

Free Convertibility Date:

   February 15, 2028

 

 

2 

Insert the initial Conversion Rate for the Convertible Notes.

 

3


Expiration Time:

   The Valuation Time

Expiration Date:

   May 15, 2028, subject to earlier exercise.

Multiple Exercise:

   Applicable, as described under “Automatic Exercise” below.

Automatic Exercise:

   Notwithstanding Section 3.4 of the Equity Definitions, on each Conversion Date occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date, in respect of which a “Notice of Conversion” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) that is effective as to Counterparty has been delivered by the relevant converting “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture), a number of Options equal to the number of Convertible Notes in denominations of USD 1,000 as to which such Conversion Date has occurred shall be deemed to be automatically exercised; provided that such Options shall be exercised or deemed exercised only if Counterparty has provided a Notice of Exercise to Dealer in accordance with “Notice of Exercise” below.
   Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the number of Options that are exercised or deemed exercised hereunder exceed the Number of Options.

Automatic Exercise of Remaining

Repurchase Options After Free

Convertibility Date:

   Notwithstanding anything herein or in Section 3.4 of the Equity Definitions to the contrary, unless Counterparty notifies Dealer in writing prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Scheduled Valid Day immediately preceding the Expiration Date that it does not wish Automatic Exercise to occur, a number of Options equal to the lesser of (a) the Number of Options (after giving effect to the provisions opposite the caption “Automatic Exercise” above) as of 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Expiration Date and (b) the Remaining Repurchase Options (such lesser number, the “Remaining Options”) will be deemed to be automatically exercised as if (i) a number of Convertible Notes (in denominations of USD 1,000 principal amount) equal to such number of Remaining Options were converted with a Conversion Date occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date and (ii) the Settlement Method applied to such Convertible Notes; provided that no such automatic exercise pursuant to this paragraph will occur if the Relevant Price for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period is less than or equal to the Strike Price. “Remaining Repurchase Options” shall mean the excess of (I) the aggregate number of Convertible Notes that were subject to Repayment Events (as defined below) (other than Repayment Events pursuant to the terms of the Indenture) described in clause (ii) of Section 9(i)(iv) (“Repurchase Events”) during the term of the Transaction over (II) the aggregate number of Repayment Options that were

 

4


   terminated hereunder relating to Repurchase Events during the term of the Transaction. Counterparty shall notify Dealer in writing of the number of Remaining Repurchase Options before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Scheduled Valid Day immediately preceding the Expiration Date.

Notice of Exercise:

   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions or under “Automatic Exercise” above, but subject to “Automatic Exercise of Remaining Repurchase Options After Free Convertibility Date” above, in order to exercise any Options relating to Convertible Notes with a Conversion Date occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date, Counterparty must notify Dealer in writing before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Scheduled Valid Day immediately preceding the Expiration Date specifying the number of such Options that are to be exercised; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, such notice (and the related exercise of Options hereunder) shall be effective if given after the applicable notice deadline specified above but prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time), on the fifth Exchange Business Day following such notice deadline, in which event the Calculation Agent shall have the right to adjust Dealer’s delivery obligation hereunder and the Settlement Date in a commercially reasonable manner, with respect to the exercise of such Options, as appropriate to reflect the additional commercially reasonable costs (including, but not limited to, losses as a result of hedging mismatches and market losses) and expenses incurred by Dealer in connection with its hedging activities, with such adjustments made assuming that Dealer maintains commercially reasonable hedge positions (including the unwinding of any hedge positions), solely resulting from Dealer not having received such notice prior to such notice deadline (it being understood that the adjusted delivery obligations described in the preceding proviso can never be less than zero and can never require any payment by Counterparty); provided, further that if the Relevant Settlement Method for such Options is not Net Share Settlement, Dealer shall have received a separate notice (the “Notice of Final Settlement Method”) in respect of all such Convertible Notes before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Free Convertibility Date specifying (1) the Relevant Settlement Method for such Options, and (2) if the Relevant Settlement Method for such Options is Combination Settlement, the percentage of the consideration due upon conversion per Convertible Note in excess of the principal amount thereof that Counterparty has elected to pay to “Holders” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the related Convertible Notes in cash (the “Cash Percentage”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if Counterparty does not timely deliver the Notice of Final Settlement Method, then the Notice of Final Settlement Method shall be deemed timely given and the

 

5


   Relevant Settlement Method specified therein shall be deemed to be Net Share Settlement. Counterparty acknowledges its responsibilities under applicable securities laws, and in particular Section 9 and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined below) and the rules and regulations thereunder, in respect of any election (or any deemed election) of a settlement method with respect to the Convertible Notes.

Valuation Time:

   At the close of trading of the regular trading session on the Exchange; provided that if the principal trading session is extended, the Calculation Agent shall determine the Valuation Time in its commercially reasonable discretion.

Market Disruption Event:

   Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby replaced in its entirety by the following: “‘Market Disruption Event’ means, in respect of a Share, (i) a failure by the primary United States national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Shares are listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Scheduled Valid Day for the Shares for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Shares or in any options contracts or futures contracts on any Related Exchange relating to the Shares.”

Settlement Terms.

  

Settlement Method:

   For any Option, Net Share Settlement; provided that if the Relevant Settlement Method set forth below for such Option is not Net Share Settlement, then the Settlement Method for such Option shall be such Relevant Settlement Method, but only if Counterparty shall have timely notified Dealer of the Relevant Settlement Method in the Notice of Final Settlement Method for such Option.

Relevant Settlement Method:

   In respect of any Option:
   (i) if Counterparty has not elected to settle all or any portion of its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note in excess of the principal amount thereof in cash either by specifying a Cash Percentage of 0% or not timely specifying a Cash Percentage, in each case, pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii) of the Indenture, then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Net Share Settlement;
   (ii) if Counterparty has elected to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note in excess of the principal amount thereof in a combination of cash and Shares by specifying a Cash Percentage less than 100% but greater than 0% pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii) of the Indenture, then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Combination Settlement; and

 

6


   (iii) if Counterparty has elected to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note in excess of the principal amount thereof entirely in cash by specifying a Cash Percentage of 100% pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii) of the Indenture, then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Cash Settlement.

Net Share Settlement:

   If Net Share Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, Dealer will deliver to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option, a number of Shares (the “Net Share Settlement Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for each such Option, of (i) (a) the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day, divided by (b) the Relevant Price on such Valid Day, divided by (ii) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that in no event shall the Net Share Settlement Amount for any Option exceed a number of Shares equal to the Applicable Limit for such Option divided by the Applicable Limit Price on the Settlement Date for such Option.
   Dealer will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional Shares to be delivered with respect to any Net Share Settlement Amount valued at the Relevant Price for the last Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period.

Combination Settlement:

   If Combination Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, Dealer will pay or deliver, as the case may be, to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option:
  

(i) cash (the “Combination Settlement Cash Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of (A) an amount (the “Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount”) equal to the product of (1) the Cash Percentage and (2) the Daily Option Value, divided by (B) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that if the calculation in clause (A) above results in zero or a negative number for any Valid Day, the Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero; and

  

(ii)  Shares (the “Combination Settlement Share Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of a number of Shares for such Valid Day (the “Daily Combination Settlement Share Amount”) equal to (A) (1) the Daily Option Value on such Valid Day minus the Daily Combination

 

7


  

Settlement Cash Amount for such Valid Day, divided by (2) the Relevant Price on such Valid Day, divided by (B) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that if the calculation in sub-clause (A)(1) above results in zero or a negative number for any Valid Day, the Daily Combination Settlement Share Amount for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero;

 

provided that in no event shall the sum of (x) the Combination Settlement Cash Amount for any Option and (y) the Combination Settlement Share Amount for such Option multiplied by the Applicable Limit Price on the Settlement Date for such Option, exceed the Applicable Limit for such Option.

   Dealer will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional Shares to be delivered with respect to any Combination Settlement Share Amount valued at the Relevant Price for the last Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period.

Cash Settlement:

   If Cash Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, in lieu of Section 8.1 of the Equity Definitions, Dealer will pay to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option, an amount of cash (the “Cash Settlement Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of (i) the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day, divided by (ii) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that in no event shall the Cash Settlement Amount for any Option exceed the Applicable Limit for such Option.

Daily Option Value:

   For any Valid Day, an amount equal to (i) the Option Entitlement on such Valid Day, multiplied by (ii) (A) the lesser of the Relevant Price on such Valid Day and the Cap Price, less (B) the Strike Price on such Valid Day; provided that if the calculation contained in clause (ii) above results in a negative number, the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero. In no event will the Daily Option Value be less than zero.

Applicable Limit:

   For any Option, an amount of cash equal to the Applicable Percentage multiplied by the excess of (i) the aggregate of (A) the amount of cash paid to the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the related Convertible Note upon conversion of such Convertible Note and (B) the number of Shares, if any, delivered to the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the related Convertible Note upon conversion of such Convertible Note multiplied by the Applicable Limit Price on the Settlement Date for such Option, over (ii) USD 1,000.

 

8


Applicable Limit Price:

   On any day, the opening price as displayed under the heading “Op” on Bloomberg page MTH <equity> (or any successor thereto).

Valid Day:

   A day on which (i) there is no Market Disruption Event and (ii) trading in the Shares generally occurs on the Exchange or, if the Shares are not then listed on the Exchange, on the principal other United States national or regional securities exchange on which the Shares are then listed or, if the Shares are not then listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Shares are then listed or admitted for trading. If the Shares are not so listed or admitted for trading, “Valid Day” means a Business Day.

Scheduled Valid Day:

   A day that is scheduled to be a Valid Day on the principal United States national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Shares are listed or admitted for trading. If the Shares are not so listed or admitted for trading, “Scheduled Valid Day” means a Business Day.

Business Day:

   A “Business Day” as defined in the Indenture.

Relevant Price:

   On any Valid Day, the per Share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page MTH <equity> AQR (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading on the Exchange to the Scheduled Closing Time of the Exchange on such Valid 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 in a commercially reasonable manner using, if practicable, a volume-weighted average method). The Relevant Price will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

Settlement Averaging Period:

   For any Option, the 50 consecutive Valid Days commencing on, and including, the 51st Scheduled Valid Day immediately prior to the Expiration Date.

Settlement Date:

   For any Option, the later of (i) the second Business Day immediately following the final Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option and (ii) the settlement date for the consideration due upon conversion of the related Convertible Note, as notified by Counterparty to Dealer in writing (which notice may, for the avoidance of doubt, be by email) prior to the date specified in clause (i). For the avoidance of doubt, in the absence of the notice specified in clause (ii) of the foregoing sentence prior to the date specified in clause (i) of the foregoing sentence, the Settlement Date shall be as specified in clause (i) of the foregoing sentence.

Settlement Currency:

   USD

 

9


Other Applicable Provisions:

   The provisions of Sections 9.1(c), 9.8, 9.9 and 9.11 of the Equity Definitions will be applicable, except that all references in such provisions to “Physically-settled” shall be read as references to “Share Settled”. “Share Settled” in relation to any Option means that Net Share Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable to that Option.

Representation and Agreement:

   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions (including, but not limited to, Section 9.11 thereof), the parties acknowledge that (i) any Shares delivered to Counterparty shall be, upon delivery, subject to restrictions and limitations arising from (x) Counterparty’s status as issuer of the Shares under applicable securities laws and (y) Counterparty’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended from time to time (the “Charter”), or Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended from time to time (the “By-Laws”), (ii) Dealer may deliver any Shares required to be delivered hereunder in certificated form in lieu of delivery through the Clearance System, (iii) any Shares delivered to Counterparty may be “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) and (iv) the Representation and Agreement contained in Section 9.11 of the Equity Definitions shall be deemed modified accordingly.

3.  Additional Terms applicable to the Transaction.

Adjustments applicable to the Transaction:

  

Potential Adjustment Events:

   Notwithstanding Section 11.2(e) of the Equity Definitions, a “Potential Adjustment Event” means an occurrence of any event or condition, as set forth in any Dilution Adjustment Provision, that requires an adjustment under the Indenture to the “Conversion Rate” or the composition of a “unit of Reference Property” or to any “Last Reported Sale Price”, “Daily VWAP,” “Daily Conversion Value,” “Daily Net Settlement Amount” or “Daily Settlement Amount” (as each such term is defined in the Indenture). For the avoidance of doubt, Dealer shall not have any delivery or payment obligation hereunder, and no adjustment shall be made to the terms of the Transaction, on account of (x) any distribution of cash, property or securities by Counterparty to “Holders” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) (upon conversion or otherwise) or (y) any other transaction in which “Holders” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) are entitled to participate, in each case, in lieu of an adjustment under the Indenture of the type referred to in the immediately preceding sentence (including, without limitation, pursuant to the fourth sentence of Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture or the fifth sentence of Section 14.04(d) of the Indenture).

 

10


Method of Adjustment:

   Calculation Agent Adjustment, which shall not have the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(c) of the Equity Definitions and instead shall mean that, upon any Potential Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent shall make adjustments in a commercially reasonable manner to any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement, the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares and the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction that correspond to the adjustments to the Convertible Notes under the Indenture.
   Notwithstanding the foregoing and “Consequences of Merger Events / Tender Offers” below, if the Calculation Agent in good faith disagrees with any adjustment to the Convertible Notes determined pursuant to the Indenture that involves an exercise of discretion by Counterparty or its board of directors (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 14.05 of the Indenture, Section 14.07 of the Indenture or any supplemental indenture entered into thereunder or in connection with any proportional adjustment or the determination of the fair value of any securities, property, rights or other assets), then in each such case, the Calculation Agent will determine the adjustment to be made to any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement, the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares and the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction, using, if applicable, the methodology set forth in the Indenture for any such adjustment and taking into account the relevant provisions of the Indenture, in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.
   Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (i) in connection with any Potential Adjustment Event as a result of an event or condition set forth in Section 14.04(b) of the Indenture or Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture where, in either case, the period for determining “Y” (as such term is used in Section 14.04(b) of the Indenture) or “SP0” (as such term is used in Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture), as the case may be, begins before Counterparty has publicly announced the event or condition giving rise to such Potential Adjustment Event, then the Calculation Agent shall, acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, have the right to adjust any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options and Option Entitlement, the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares and the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction as appropriate to reflect the commercially reasonable costs incurred by Dealer in connection with its hedging activities, with such adjustments to be made assuming that Dealer maintains commercially reasonable hedge positions, as a result of such event or condition not having been publicly announced prior to the beginning of such period and (ii) if any Potential Adjustment Event is declared and (a) the event or condition giving rise to such Potential Adjustment Event is subsequently amended, modified, cancelled or

 

11


   abandoned, (b) the “Conversion Rate” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) is otherwise not adjusted at the time or in the manner contemplated by the relevant Dilution Adjustment Provision based on such declaration or (c) the “Conversion Rate” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) is adjusted as a result of such Potential Adjustment Event and subsequently re-adjusted (each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), a “Potential Adjustment Event Change”) then, in each case, the Calculation Agent shall have the right to adjust any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options and Option Entitlement, the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares and the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction as appropriate to reflect the costs (including, but not limited to, hedging mismatches and market losses) and expenses incurred by Dealer in connection with its commercially reasonable hedging activities as a result of such Potential Adjustment Event Change, with such adjustments to be made assuming that Dealer maintains commercially reasonable hedge positions.

Dilution Adjustment Provisions:

   Sections 14.04(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) and Section 14.05 of the Indenture.

Extraordinary Events applicable to the Transaction:

Merger Events:

   Applicable; provided that notwithstanding Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions, a “Merger Event” means the occurrence of any event or condition set forth in the definition of “Share Exchange Event” in Section 14.07(a) of the Indenture.

Tender Offers:

   Applicable; provided that “Tender Offer” shall not have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions and instead shall mean the occurrence of any event or condition set forth in Section 14.04(e) of the Indenture.

Consequences of Merger Events/

Tender Offers:

   Notwithstanding Section 12.2 and Section 12.3 of the Equity Definitions, upon the occurrence of a Merger Event or a Tender Offer, the Calculation Agent shall make a corresponding adjustment in respect of any adjustment under the Indenture to any one or more of the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction (in the case of a Merger Event), Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement, and the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares for the Transaction to the extent that an analogous adjustment is required to be made pursuant to the Indenture in respect of such Merger Event or Tender Offer, subject to the second paragraph under “Method of Adjustment”; provided, however, that such adjustment shall be made without regard to any adjustment to the “Conversion Rate” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) pursuant to any Excluded Provision; provided

 

12


  further that if, with respect to a Merger Event or a Tender Offer, (i) the consideration for the Shares includes (or, at the option of a holder of Shares, may include) shares of an entity or person that is not a corporation or is not organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia or (ii) the Counterparty to the Transaction following such Merger Event or Tender Offer will not be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, then, in either case, Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination) shall apply if (A) Dealer determines in a commercially reasonable manner at any time following the occurrence of such Merger Event or Tender Offer that (x) such Merger Event or Tender Offer has had or will have an adverse effect on Dealer’s rights and obligations under the Transaction or (y) Dealer will incur or has incurred an increased (as compared with circumstances existing on the Trade Date) amount of tax, duty, expense or fee to (1) acquire, establish, re-establish, substitute, maintain, unwind or dispose of any transaction(s) or asset(s) constituting a commercially reasonable hedge position in respect of the economic risk of entering into and performing its obligations with respect to the Transaction or (2) realize, recover or remit the proceeds of any transaction(s) or asset(s) constituting a commercially reasonable hedge position in respect of the economic risk of entering into and performing its obligations with respect to the Transaction or (B) Dealer determines, in its good faith and commercially reasonable judgment, that it will not be in compliance with applicable legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements, or with related policies and procedures, applicable to Dealer; provided further that, for the avoidance of doubt, adjustments shall be made pursuant to the provisions set forth above regardless of whether any Merger Event or Tender Offer gives rise to an Early Conversion.

Consequences of Announcement Events:

 
  Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment as set forth in Section 12.3(d) of the Equity Definitions; provided that, in respect of an Announcement Event (w) references in such Section 12.3(d) to “Tender Offer” shall be replaced by references to “Announcement Event” and references in such Section 12.3(d) to “Tender Offer Date” shall be replaced by references to “date of such Announcement Event”, (x) the phrase “exercise, settlement, payment or any other terms of the Transaction (including, without limitation, the spread)” in such Section 12.3(d) shall be replaced with the phrase “Cap Price (provided that in no event shall the Cap Price be less than the Strike Price)”, (y) the words “whether within a commercially reasonable (as determined by the Calculation Agent) period of time prior to or after the Announcement Event,” shall be inserted prior to the word “which” in the seventh line of such Section 12.3(d), and (z) for the avoidance of doubt, the Calculation Agent shall determine whether the relevant

 

13


  Announcement Event has had a material economic effect on the Transaction (and, if so, shall, acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, adjust the Cap Price accordingly) on one or more occasions on or after the date of the Announcement Event up to, and including, the Expiration Date, any Early Termination Date and/or any other date of cancellation, it being understood that (1) any adjustment in respect of an Announcement Event shall take into account any earlier adjustment relating to the same Announcement Event and (2) such adjustment shall be made without duplication of any other adjustment hereunder. An Announcement Event shall be an “Extraordinary Event” for purposes of the Equity Definitions, to which Article 12 of the Equity Definitions, as modified in this paragraph, is applicable.

Announcement Event:

  (i) The public announcement by the Issuer, any subsidiary or agent of the Issuer or any Valid Third Party Entity or any affiliate of a Valid Third Party Entity of (x) any transaction or event that the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably likely to be completed (it being understood that in making such determination, the Calculation Agent may take into consideration the effect of such announcement on the market for the Shares and/or options on the Shares) and that, if completed, would constitute a Merger Event or Tender Offer, (y) any potential acquisition or disposition by Issuer and/or its subsidiaries where the aggregate consideration exceeds 35% of the market capitalization of Issuer as of the date of such announcement (an “Acquisition Transaction”) or (z) the intention to enter into a Merger Event or Tender Offer or an Acquisition Transaction, (ii) the public announcement by Issuer of an intention to solicit or enter into, or to explore strategic alternatives or other similar undertaking that may include, a Merger Event or Tender Offer or an Acquisition Transaction or (iii) any subsequent public announcement by the Issuer, any subsidiary or agent of the Issuer or any Valid Third Party Entity or any affiliate of a Valid Third Party Entity of a change to a transaction or intention that is the subject of an announcement of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence (including, without limitation, a new announcement, whether or not by the same party, relating to such a transaction or intention or the announcement of a withdrawal from, or the abandonment or discontinuation of, such a transaction or intention), as determined by the Calculation Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, the occurrence of an Announcement Event with respect to any transaction or intention shall not preclude the occurrence of a later Announcement Event with respect to such transaction or intention. If the Calculation Agent shall make any adjustment to the terms of the Transaction upon the occurrence of a particular Announcement Event, then the Calculation Agent shall make an adjustment to the terms of the Transaction upon any announcement prior to the exercise or other cancellation or termination of the

 

14


   Transaction regarding the abandonment of any such event that gave rise to the original Announcement Event. For purposes of this definition of “Announcement Event,” (A) “Merger Event” shall mean such term as defined under Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions (but, for the avoidance of doubt, the remainder of the definition of “Merger Event” in Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions following the definition of “Reverse Merger” therein shall be disregarded) and (B) “Tender Offer” shall mean such term as defined under Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions, except that all references to “voting shares” in Sections 12.1(d), 12.1(e) and 12.1(l) of the Equity Definitions shall be deemed to be references to “Shares”.

Valid Third Party Entity:

   In respect of any transaction that could be an Announcement Event, any third party that the Calculation Agent, acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines (i) has a bona fide intent to enter into or consummate such transaction and (ii) is capable of consummating such transaction (it being understood and agreed that in determining whether such third party has such a bona fide intent or is capable of consummating such transaction, the Calculation Agent may take into consideration the effect of the relevant announcement by such third party on the Shares and/or options relating to the Shares).

Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting:

   Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination); provided that, in addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it will also constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or their respective successors); if the Shares are immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or their respective successors), such exchange or quotation system shall thereafter be deemed to be the Exchange.

Additional Disruption Events:

  

Change in Law:

   Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (i) replacing the phrase “the interpretation” in the third line thereof with the phrase “, or public announcement of, the formal or informal interpretation”, (ii) replacing the word “Shares” where it appears in clause (X) thereof with the words “Hedge Position”, (iii) replacing the parenthetical beginning after the word “regulation” in the second line thereof with the words “(including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, (x) any tax law or (y) adoption, effectiveness or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated

 

15


   by existing statute)” and (iv) adding the words “provided that in the case of clause (Y) hereof, the consequence of such law, regulation or interpretation is applied consistently by Dealer to all similar transactions in a non-discriminatory manner;” after the semi-colon in the last line thereof.

Failure to Deliver:

   Applicable

Hedging Disruption:

   Applicable; provided that:
  

(i) Section 12.9(a)(v) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by inserting the following two phrases at the end of such Section:

  

“For the avoidance of doubt, the term “equity price risk” shall be deemed to include, but shall not be limited to, stock price and volatility risk. And, for the further avoidance of doubt, any such transactions or assets referred to in phrases (A) or (B) above must be available on commercially reasonable pricing terms.”;

  

(ii)  Section 12.9(b)(iii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by inserting in the third line thereof, after the words “to terminate the Transaction”, the words “or the portion of the Transaction affected by such Hedging Disruption”; and

  

(iii)  it shall not be a Hedging Disruption if such inability occurs solely due to the deterioration of the creditworthiness of the Hedging Party.

Increased Cost of Hedging:

   Not Applicable

Hedging Party:

   For all applicable Additional Disruption Events, Dealer. Following any determination by the Hedging Party hereunder (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any discretionary act or election permitted to be made by Hedging Party), within five Business Days following a written request by Counterparty therefor, the Hedging Party shall provide to Counterparty by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Counterparty a written explanation and report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) describing in reasonable detail any determination made by it (including, as applicable, any quotations, market data, information from internal sources used in making such determinations, descriptions of the methodology and any assumptions and basis used in making for such determination), it being understood that the Hedging Party shall not be obligated to disclose any proprietary or confidential models or proprietary or confidential information used by it for such determination. All calculations, adjustments and determinations by Dealer acting in its capacity as the Hedging Party shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and assuming that Dealer maintains a commercially reasonable hedge position.

 

16


Determining Party:

   For all applicable Extraordinary Events, Dealer. Following any determination by the Determining Party hereunder, within five Business Days following a written request by Counterparty therefor, the Determining Party shall provide to Counterparty by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Counterparty a written explanation and report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) describing in reasonable detail any determination made by it (including, as applicable, any quotations, market data, information from internal sources used in making such determinations, descriptions of the methodology and any assumptions and basis used in making for such determination), it being understood that the Determining Party shall not be obligated to disclose any proprietary or confidential models or proprietary or confidential information used by it for such determination. All calculations, adjustments, and determinations by Dealer acting in its capacity as the Determining Party shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.

Non-Reliance:

   Applicable

Agreements and Acknowledgments

Regarding Hedging Activities:

   Applicable

Additional Acknowledgments:

   Applicable

4.  Calculation Agent.

   Dealer; provided that all calculations and determinations by the Calculation Agent shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and assuming for such purposes that Dealer is maintaining, establishing or unwinding, as applicable, a commercially reasonable hedge position. Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default described in Section 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement with respect to which Dealer is the Defaulting Party, Counterparty shall have the right to designate an independent, nationally recognized equity derivatives dealer to replace Dealer as Calculation Agent, and the parties shall work in good faith to execute any appropriate documentation required by such replacement Calculation Agent. Following any determination or calculation by the Calculation Agent hereunder, as soon as reasonably practicable but in any event within five Business Days following a written request by Counterparty therefor, the Calculation Agent shall provide to Counterparty by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Counterparty in such request a written explanation and report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) displaying in commercially reasonable detail the basis for such determination or

 

17


  calculation (including any quotations, market data or information from internal or external sources, and any assumptions, used in making such determination or calculation), it being understood that the Calculation Agent shall not be obligated to disclose any proprietary or confidential models or proprietary or confidential information used by it for such determination or calculation.

 

5.

Account Details.

 

  (a)

Account for payments to Counterparty:

ACCT NAME: [     ]

ABA: [   ]

ACCT NUMBER: [   ]

Swift code: [   ]

Account for delivery of Shares to Counterparty:

To be provided.

 

  (b)

Account for payments to Dealer:

[Bank:]     [_________]

[SWIFT:]    [_________]

[Bank Routing:] [_________]

[Acct Name:]  [_________]

[Acct No.:]   [_________]3

Account for delivery of Shares from Dealer:

To be provided.

 

6.

Offices.

 

  (a)

The Office of Counterparty for the Transaction is: Inapplicable, Counterparty is not a Multibranch Party.

 

  (b)

The Office of Dealer for the Transaction is: [____________][Inapplicable; Dealer is not a Multibranch Party]4

 

7.

Notices.

 

  (a)

Address for notices or communications to Counterparty:

 

  To:

Meritage Homes Corporation

18655 North Claret Drive, Suite 400

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Attention: [   ]

Telephone: [   ]

Email: [     ]

Attention: [  ]

Telephone: [    ]

Email: [     ]

 

3 

Insert Dealer’s account information.

4 

Update as appropriate for Dealer.

 

18


  (b)

Address for notices or communications to Dealer:

[To:    [____________]

Attention:  [____________]

Telephone:   [____________]

Email:     [____________]

With a copy to:

To:    [____________]

Attention:  [____________]

Telephone:   [____________]

Email:     [____________]]5

 

8.

Representations and Warranties of Counterparty.

In addition to the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3(a) of the Agreement, Counterparty hereby represents and warrants to Dealer on the date hereof and on and as of the Premium Payment Date that:

 

  (a)

Counterparty is not and, after consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will not be required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

  (b)

Counterparty is an “eligible contract participant” (as such term is defined in Section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, other than a person that is an eligible contract participant under Section 1a(18)(C) of the Commodity Exchange Act).

 

  (c)

Counterparty is not, on the date hereof, in possession of any material non-public information with respect to Counterparty or the Shares.

 

  (d)

To the knowledge of Counterparty, no state or local (including non-U.S. jurisdictions) law, rule, regulation or regulatory order applicable to the Shares would give rise to any reporting, consent, registration or other requirement (including without limitation a requirement to obtain prior approval from any person or entity) as a result of Dealer or its affiliates owning or holding (however defined) Shares; provided that Counterparty makes no representation or warranty regarding any such requirement that is applicable generally to the ownership of equity securities by Dealer or any of its affiliates solely as a result of it or any of such affiliates being financial institutions or broker-dealers.

 

  (e)

Ownership positions held by Dealer or any of its affiliates solely in its capacity as a nominee or fiduciary do not constitute Stock Ownership (as such term is defined in the Charter or By-Laws) by Dealer.

 

  (f)

Counterparty has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations in respect of the letter agreement (the “Waiver”) dated as of May 6, 2024 delivered by Counterparty to Dealer; such execution, delivery and performance have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on Counterparty’s part; and the Waiver has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Counterparty and constitutes its valid and binding obligation, enforceable against Counterparty in accordance with its terms.

 

5 

Insert Dealer’s information.

 

19


  (g)

Neither the execution and delivery of the Waiver nor the incurrence or performance of obligations of Counterparty thereunder will conflict with or result in a breach of the Charter or By-Laws (or any equivalent documents) of Counterparty, or any applicable law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental authority or agency, or any agreement or instrument to which Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries is subject, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any lien under, any such agreement or instrument, or breach or constitute a default under any agreements and contracts of Counterparty or any of its significant subsidiaries filed as exhibits to Counterparty’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by any subsequent filings.

 

  (h)

Counterparty (A) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities; (B) will exercise independent judgment in evaluating the recommendations of any broker-dealer or its associated persons, unless it has otherwise notified the broker-dealer in writing; and (C) has total assets of at least USD 50 million.

 

  (i)

On and immediately after the Trade Date and the Premium Payment Date, (A) the value of the total assets of Counterparty is greater than the sum of the total liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of Counterparty, (B) the capital of Counterparty is adequate to conduct the business of Counterparty, and Counterparty’s entry into the Transaction will not impair its capital, (C) Counterparty has the ability to pay its indebtedness as such indebtedness becomes due in the usual course of business and does not intend to, or does not believe that it will, incur indebtedness beyond its ability to pay as such indebtedness becomes due in the usual course of business, (D) Counterparty will be able to continue as a going concern, (E) Counterparty is not “insolvent” (as such term is defined under Section 101(32) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) (the “Bankruptcy Code”)) and (F) Counterparty would be able to purchase the number of Shares with respect to the Transaction in compliance with the laws of the jurisdiction of Counterparty’s incorporation.

 

  (j)

The assets of Counterparty do not constitute “plan assets” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Labor Regulations promulgated thereunder or similar law.

 

  (k)

[Counterparty has received, read and understands the OTC Options Risk Disclosure Statement and a copy of the most recent disclosure pamphlet prepared by The Options Clearing Corporation entitled “Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options”.]6

 

9.

Other Provisions.

 

  (a)

Opinions. Counterparty shall deliver to Dealer an opinion of counsel, dated as of the Premium Payment Date, with respect to the matters set forth in Section 3(a) of the Agreement and Sections 8(f) and 8(g) of this Confirmation, subject to customary assumptions, qualifications, and exceptions. Delivery of such opinion to Dealer shall be a condition precedent for the purpose of Section 2(a)(iii) of the Agreement with respect to each obligation of Dealer under Section 2(a)(i) of the Agreement.

 

6 

Include for applicable Dealers.

 

20


  (b)

Repurchase Notices. Counterparty shall, no later than one Exchange Business Day following the day on which Counterparty effects any repurchase of Shares, give Dealer a written notice of such repurchase (a “Repurchase Notice”) if following such repurchase, the number of outstanding Shares as determined on such day is (i) less than [__]7 million (in the case of the first such notice) or (ii) thereafter more than [__]8 million less than the number of Shares included in the immediately preceding Repurchase Notice; provided that, with respect to any repurchase of Shares pursuant to a plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, Counterparty may elect to satisfy such requirement by promptly giving Dealer written notice of the entry into such plan, the maximum number of Shares that may be purchased thereunder and the approximate dates or periods during which such repurchases may occur (with such maximum number of Shares deemed repurchased on the date of such notice for purposes of this Section 9(b)), provided further, that Counterparty agrees (without, for the avoidance of doubt, affecting Counterparty’s obligations pursuant to this section as a result of a failure to deliver a Repurchase Notice) that it will not provide Dealer with any such notice if the information contained therein could otherwise constitute material nonpublic information, unless Counterparty first publicly discloses such information. Counterparty agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Dealer and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, advisors, agents and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all commercially reasonable losses (including losses relating to Dealer’s commercially reasonable hedging activities as a consequence of becoming, or of the risk of becoming, a Section 16 “insider”, including without limitation, any forbearance from hedging activities or cessation of hedging activities and any commercially reasonable losses in connection therewith with respect to the Transaction), claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and commercially reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), joint or several, which an Indemnified Person may become subject to under applicable securities laws, as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Dealer with a Repurchase Notice when and in the manner specified in this paragraph, and to reimburse, within 30 days, upon written request, each of such Indemnified Persons for any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for, providing testimony or other evidence in connection with or defending any of the foregoing. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against the Indemnified Person as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Dealer with a Repurchase Notice in accordance with this paragraph, such Indemnified Person shall, within a commercially reasonable period of time, notify Counterparty in writing, and Counterparty, upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others Counterparty may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding. Counterparty shall be relieved from liability to the extent that any Indemnified Person fails to notify Counterparty within a commercially reasonable period of time of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder to the extent Counterparty is materially prejudiced as a result thereof. Counterparty shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, Counterparty agrees to indemnify any Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Counterparty shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding on terms reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person. Counterparty shall not be liable for any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or expenses relating thereto) of any Indemnified Person that result from the bad faith, gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of such Indemnified Person. If the indemnification provided for in this

 

7 

Insert the number of Shares outstanding that would cause Dealer’s current position in the Shares underlying the Transaction (including the number of Shares underlying any additional transaction if the greenshoe is exercised in full) to increase by 0.5%. To be determined based on Dealer with highest Applicable Percentage.

8 

Insert the number of Shares that, if repurchased, would cause Dealer’s current position in the Shares underlying the Transaction (including the number of Shares underlying any additional transaction if the greenshoe is exercised in full) to increase by a further 0.5% from the threshold for the first Repurchase Notice. To be determined based on Dealer with highest Applicable Percentage.

 

21


  paragraph is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then Counterparty hereunder, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities. The remedies provided for in this paragraph (b) are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this paragraph shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of the Transaction.

 

  (c)

Regulation M. Counterparty is not on the Trade Date engaged in a distribution, as such term is used in Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of any securities of Counterparty, other than a distribution meeting the requirements of the exception set forth in Rules 101(b)(10) and 102(b)(7) of Regulation M. Counterparty shall not, until the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date, engage in any such distribution.

 

  (d)

No Manipulation. Counterparty is not entering into the Transaction to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or otherwise in violation of the Exchange Act.

 

  (e)

Transfer or Assignment.

 

  (i)

Counterparty shall have the right to transfer or assign its rights and obligations hereunder with respect to all, but not less than all, of the Options hereunder (such Options, the “Transfer Options”); provided that such transfer or assignment shall be subject to reasonable conditions that Dealer may impose, including but not limited, to the following conditions:

 

  (A)

With respect to any Transfer Options, Counterparty shall not be released from its notice and indemnification obligations pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Confirmation or any obligations under Section 9(n) or 9(s) of this Confirmation;

 

  (B)

Any Transfer Options shall only be transferred or assigned to a third party that is a United States person (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”));

 

  (C)

Such transfer or assignment shall be effected on terms, including any reasonable undertakings by such third party (including, but not limited to, an undertaking with respect to compliance with applicable securities laws in a manner that, in the reasonable judgment of Dealer, will not expose Dealer to material risks under applicable securities laws) and execution of any documentation and delivery of legal opinions with respect to securities laws and other matters by such third party and Counterparty, as are reasonably requested by and reasonably satisfactory to Dealer;

 

  (D)

Dealer will not, as a result of such transfer and assignment, be required to pay the transferee on any payment date an amount under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Agreement greater than an amount that Dealer would have been required to pay to Counterparty in the absence of such transfer and assignment;

 

  (E)

No Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event will occur as a result of such transfer and assignment;

 

22


  (F)

Without limiting the generality of clause (B), Counterparty shall cause the transferee to make such Payee Tax Representations and to provide such tax documentation as may be reasonably requested by Dealer to permit Dealer to determine that results described in clauses (D) and (E) will not occur upon or after such transfer and assignment; and

 

  (G)

Counterparty shall be responsible for all reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred by Dealer in connection with such transfer or assignment.

 

  (ii)

Dealer may transfer or assign all or any part of its rights or obligations under the Transaction (A) without Counterparty’s consent, to any affiliate of Dealer (1) that has a long-term issuer rating that is equal to or better than Dealer’s credit rating at the time of such transfer or assignment, or (2) whose obligations hereunder will be guaranteed, pursuant to the terms of a customary guarantee in a form used by Dealer generally for similar transactions, by Dealer or Dealer’s ultimate parent or (B) with Counterparty’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) to any other recognized dealer in transactions of the same type as the Transaction with a long-term issuer rating equal to or better than the lesser of (1) the credit rating of Dealer at the time of the transfer or assignment and (2) A-by S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., or its successor (“S&P”), or A3 by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. or its successor (“Moodys”) or, if either S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate such debt, at least an equivalent rating or better by a substitute rating agency mutually agreed by Counterparty and Dealer; provided that Dealer may transfer or assign pursuant to this paragraph only if (A) either (i) the transferee is a “dealer in securities” within the meaning of Section 475(c)(1) of the Code, or (ii) the transfer or assignment does not otherwise constitute a “deemed exchange” by Counterparty within the meaning of Section 1001 of the Code, (B) Counterparty will not, as a result of any withholding or deduction made by the transferee or assignee as a result of any Tax, receive from the transferee or assignee on any payment date or delivery date (after accounting for amounts paid by the transferee or assignee under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Agreement as well as such withholding or deduction) an amount or a number of Shares, as applicable, lower than the amount or the number of Shares, as applicable, that Dealer would have been required to pay or deliver to Counterparty in the absence of such transfer or assignment, except to the extent resulting from a Change in Law occurring after the date of the transfer and/or assignment and (C) no Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event exists at such time or will occur as a result of such transfer and assignment. If at any time at which (A) the Section 16 Percentage exceeds 8.5%, (B) the Option Equity Percentage exceeds 14.5%, (C) the Charter Percentage exceeds 4.5% or (D) the Share Amount exceeds the Applicable Share Limit (if any applies) (any such condition described in clauses (A), (B) or (C), an “Excess Ownership Position”), Dealer is unable after using its commercially reasonable efforts to effect a transfer or assignment of Options to a third party on pricing terms reasonably acceptable to Dealer and within a time period reasonably acceptable to Dealer such that no Excess Ownership Position exists (after giving effect to such transfer or assignment and any resulting change in Dealer’s commercially reasonable Hedge Positions), then Dealer may designate any Exchange Business Day as an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction (the “Terminated Portion”), such that following such partial termination no Excess Ownership Position exists (after giving effect to such transfer or assignment and any resulting change in Dealer’s commercially reasonable Hedge Positions). In the event that Dealer so designates an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction, a payment shall be made pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (1) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the number of Options underlying the Terminated Portion, (2) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such partial termination and (3) the Terminated Portion were the sole Affected Transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Section 9(l) of this Confirmation shall apply to any amount that is payable by Dealer to Counterparty pursuant to this sentence as if

 

23


  Counterparty was not the Affected Party). The “Section 16 Percentage” as of any day is the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (A) the numerator of which is the number of Shares that Dealer and any of its affiliates or any other person subject to aggregation with Dealer for purposes of the “beneficial ownership” test under Section 13 of the Exchange Act, or any “group” (within the meaning of Section 13 of the Exchange Act) of which Dealer is or may be deemed to be a part beneficially owns (within the meaning of Section 13 of the Exchange Act), without duplication, on such day (or, to the extent that for any reason the equivalent calculation under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder results in a higher number, such higher number) and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding on such day. The “Option Equity Percentage” as of any day is the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (A) the numerator of which is the sum of (1) the product of the Number of Options and the Option Entitlement and (2) the aggregate number of Shares underlying any other call option transaction sold by Dealer to Counterparty, and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding. The “Charter Percentage” as of any day is equal to Dealer’s Stock Ownership of Stock (as such terms are defined in the Charter and By-Laws). The “Share Amount” as of any day is the number of Shares that Dealer and any person whose ownership position would be aggregated with that of Dealer (Dealer or any such person, a “Dealer Person”) under any law, rule, regulation, regulatory order or organizational documents or contracts of Counterparty that are, in each case, applicable to ownership of Shares (“Applicable Restrictions”), owns, beneficially owns, constructively owns, controls, holds the power to vote or otherwise meets a relevant definition of ownership under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion. The “Applicable Share Limit” means a number of Shares equal to (A) the minimum number of Shares that, in Dealer’s reasonable judgment based on advice of counsel, could give rise to reporting or registration obligations (except for filings on Form 13F, Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G, in each case, as in effect on the Trade Date) or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval from any person or entity) of a Dealer Person, or could result in an adverse effect on a Dealer Person, under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion, minus (B) 1% of the number of Shares outstanding. Dealer shall provide Counterparty with written notice of any transfer or assignment on the date of or as promptly as practicable after the date of such transfer or assignment.

 

  (iii)

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Confirmation to the contrary requiring or allowing Dealer to purchase, sell, receive or deliver any Shares or other securities, or make or receive any payment in cash, to or from Counterparty, Dealer may designate any of its affiliates to purchase, sell, receive or deliver such Shares or other securities, or to make or receive such payment in cash, and otherwise to perform Dealer’s obligations in respect of the Transaction and any such designee may assume such obligations. Dealer shall be discharged of its obligations to Counterparty to the extent of any such performance.

 

  (f)

Staggered Settlement. If upon advice of counsel with respect to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including any requirements relating to Dealer’s commercially reasonable hedging activities hereunder, Dealer reasonably determines, based on the advice of counsel, that it would not be practicable or advisable to deliver, or to acquire Shares to deliver, any or all of the Shares to be delivered by Dealer on any Settlement Date for the Transaction, Dealer may, by notice to Counterparty on or prior to any Settlement Date (a “Nominal Settlement Date”), elect to deliver the Shares on two or more dates (each, a “Staggered Settlement Date”) as follows:

 

  (i)

in such notice, Dealer will specify to Counterparty the related Staggered Settlement Dates (the first of which will be such Nominal Settlement Date and the last of which will be no later than the twentieth (20th) Exchange Business Day following such Nominal Settlement Date) and the number of Shares that it will deliver on each Staggered Settlement Date;

 

24


  (ii)

the aggregate number of Shares that Dealer will deliver to Counterparty hereunder on all such Staggered Settlement Dates will equal the number of Shares that Dealer would otherwise be required to deliver on such Nominal Settlement Date; and

 

  (iii)

if the Net Share Settlement terms or the Combination Settlement terms set forth above were to apply on the Nominal Settlement Date, then the Net Share Settlement terms or the Combination Settlement terms, as the case may be, will apply on each Staggered Settlement Date, except that the Shares otherwise deliverable on such Nominal Settlement Date will be allocated among such Staggered Settlement Dates as specified by Dealer in the notice referred to in clause (i) above.

 

  (g)

Dividends. If at any time during the period from and including the Effective Date, to but excluding the Expiration Date, (i) an ex-dividend date for a regular quarterly cash dividend occurs with respect to the Shares (an “Ex-Dividend Date”), and that dividend is less than the Regular Dividend on a per Share basis or (ii) no Ex-Dividend Date for a regular quarterly cash dividend occurs with respect to the Shares in any quarterly dividend period of Counterparty, then the Calculation Agent will adjust the Cap Price to preserve the fair value of the Options to Dealer after taking into account such dividend or lack thereof. “Regular Dividend” shall mean USD 0.75 per Share per quarter. Upon any adjustment to the “Initial Dividend Threshold” (as defined in the Indenture) for the Convertible Notes pursuant to the Indenture, the Calculation Agent will make a corresponding adjustment to the Regular Dividend for the Transaction.

 

  (h)

[Conduct Rules. Each party acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority applicable to transactions in options, and further agrees not to violate the position and exercise limits set forth therein.]9[Reserved.]

 

  (i)

Additional Termination Events.

 

  (i)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, upon any Early Conversion in respect of which a “Notice of Conversion” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) that is effective as to Counterparty has been delivered by the relevant converting “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture):

 

  (A)

Counterparty shall, within five Scheduled Trading Days of the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion, provide written notice (an “Early Conversion Notice”) to Dealer specifying the number of Convertible Notes surrendered for conversion on such Conversion Date (such Convertible Notes, the “Affected Convertible Notes”);

 

  (B)

upon receipt of any such Early Conversion Notice, Dealer shall designate an Exchange Business Day as an Early Termination Date (which Exchange Business Day shall be on or as promptly as reasonably practicable after the related settlement date for the conversion of such Affected Convertible Notes) with respect to the portion of the Transaction corresponding to a number of Options (the “Affected Number of Options”) equal to the lesser of (x) the number of Affected Convertible Notes and (y) the Number of Options as of the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion;

 

  (C)

any payment hereunder with respect to such termination shall be calculated pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (x) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the Affected Number of Options, (y) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such Additional Termination Event and (z) the terminated portion of the Transaction were the sole

 

 

9 

Include for applicable Dealers.

 

25


  Affected Transaction; provided that the amount payable with respect to such termination shall not be greater than (1) the Applicable Percentage, multiplied by (2) the Affected Number of Options, multiplied by (3) (x) the sum of (i) the amount of cash paid to the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of an Affected Convertible Note upon conversion of such Affected Convertible Note and (ii) the number of Shares delivered (if any) to the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of an Affected Convertible Note upon conversion of such Affected Convertible Note, multiplied by the Applicable Limit Price on the settlement date for the conversion of such Affected Convertible Note, minus (y) the Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Price per Convertible Note, as determined by the Calculation Agent in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. “Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Price per Convertible Note” shall mean the amount determined by the Calculation Agent utilizing the numbers in the table set forth below (the “Synthetic Instrument AIP Table”) based on the date of payment of the amount due with respect to the relevant Affected Number of Options (the “Affected Unwind Date”). If the relevant Affected Unwind Date is not listed in the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table, the amount in the preceding sentence shall be determined by the Calculation Agent by reference to the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table using a linear interpolation between the lower and higher Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Prices per Convertible Note for the Affected Unwind Dates immediately preceding and immediately following the relevant Affected Unwind Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to Section 9(l) of this Confirmation;

 

Affected Unwind Date

   Synthetic Instrument Adjusted
Issue Price per Convertible Note
 

May 9, 2024

     USD [_______]  

November 15, 2024

     USD [_______]  

May 15, 2025

     USD [_______]  

November 15, 2025

     USD [_______]  

May 15, 2026

     USD [_______]  

November 15, 2026

     USD [_______]  

May 15, 2027

     USD [_______]  

November 15, 2027

     USD [_______]  

May 15, 2028

     USD 1,000.00  

 

  (D)

for the avoidance of doubt, in determining the amount payable in respect of such Affected Transaction pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement, the Calculation Agent shall assume that (x) the relevant Early Conversion and any conversions, adjustments, agreements, payments, deliveries or acquisitions by or on behalf of Counterparty leading thereto had not occurred, (y) no adjustments to the “Conversion Rate” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) have occurred pursuant to any Excluded Provision and (z) the corresponding Convertible Notes remain outstanding; and

 

  (E)

the Transaction shall remain in full force and effect, except that, as of the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion, the Number of Options shall be reduced by the Affected Number of Options.

 

26


  (ii)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, if an event of default with respect to Counterparty occurs under the terms of the Convertible Notes as set forth in Section 6.01 of the Indenture and the Convertible Notes are declared due and payable as a result thereof, then such event of default shall constitute an Additional Termination Event applicable to the Transaction and, with respect to such Additional Termination Event, (A) Counterparty shall be deemed to be the sole Affected Party, (B) the Transaction shall be the sole Affected Transaction and (C) Dealer shall be the party entitled to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Agreement.

 

  (iii)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, the occurrence of an Amendment Event shall constitute an Additional Termination Event applicable to the Transaction and, with respect to such Additional Termination Event, (A) Counterparty shall be deemed to be the sole Affected Party, (B) the Transaction shall be the sole Affected Transaction and (C) Dealer shall be the party entitled to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Agreement. “Amendment Event” means that Counterparty amends, modifies, supplements, waives or obtains a waiver in respect of any term of the Indenture or the Convertible Notes governing the principal amount, coupon, maturity, repurchase obligation of Counterparty, any term relating to conversion of the Convertible Notes (including changes to the conversion rate, conversion rate adjustment provisions, conversion settlement dates or conversion conditions), or any term that would require consent of the “Holders” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of not less than 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to amend (other than, in each case, any amendment or supplement (x) pursuant to Section 10.01(h) of the Indenture that, as determined by the Calculation Agent, conforms the Indenture to the description of Convertible Notes in the Offering Memorandum or (y) pursuant to Section 14.07 of the Indenture), in each case, without the consent of Dealer.

 

  (iv)

Within five Scheduled Trading Days following any Repayment Event (as defined below), Counterparty (i) shall (solely to the extent that such Repayment Event results directly from a “Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture)), and (ii) otherwise may, but shall not be obligated to, notify Dealer of such Repayment Event and the aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes subject to such Repayment Event (any such notice, a “Repayment Notice”); provided that in the case of clause (ii) only, such Repayment Notice shall contain the representation and warranty that Counterparty is not, on the date thereof, aware of any material non-public information with respect to Counterparty or the Shares. The receipt by Dealer from Counterparty of any Repayment Notice, within the applicable time period set forth in the preceding sentence, shall constitute an Additional Termination Event as provided in this paragraph, it being understood that no Repayment Event shall constitute an Additional Termination Event hereunder unless Dealer has so received such Repayment Notice. Upon receipt of any such Repayment Notice, Dealer shall designate an Exchange Business Day following receipt of such Repayment Notice (which in no event shall be earlier than the date on which the relevant Repayment Event occurs or is consummated) as an Early Termination Date with respect to the portion of the Transaction corresponding to a number of Options (the “Repayment Options”) equal to the lesser of (A) the aggregate principal amount of such Convertible Notes specified in such Repayment Notice, divided by USD 1,000, and (B) the Number of Options as of the date Dealer designates such Early Termination Date and, as of such date, the Number of Options shall be reduced by the number of Repayment Options. Any payment hereunder with respect to such termination (the “Repayment Unwind Payment”) shall be calculated pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (1) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the number of Repayment Options, (2) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such Additional Termination Event and (3) the terminated portion of the Transaction were the sole Affected Transaction; provided that, in the event of a Repayment Event resulting from a “Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture), the Repayment Unwind Payment shall not be greater than (x) the number of Repayment Options multiplied by (y) the product of (A) the Applicable Percentage and (B) (x) the amount paid by Counterparty per Convertible Note

 

27


  in connection with the relevant Repayment Event pursuant to the relevant sections of the Indenture minus (y) the Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Price per Convertible Note, as determined by the Calculation Agent in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner by reference to the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table based on the relevant Affected Unwind Date based on the date of payment of the relevant amount (the “Repayment Date”) as if such Repayment Date were the Affected Unwind Date. If the relevant Repayment Date is not listed in the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table, the amount in the preceding sentence shall be determined by the Calculation Agent by reference to the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table using a linear interpolation between the lower and higher Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Prices per Convertible Note for the Affected Unwind Dates immediately preceding and immediately following the relevant Repayment Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to Section 9(l) of the Confirmation. For the avoidance of doubt, solely for purposes of calculating the amount payable pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, Dealer shall assume that the relevant Repayment Event (and, if applicable, the related “Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) and the announcement of such “Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture)) had not occurred. “Repayment Event” means that (i) any Convertible Notes are repurchased and cancelled in accordance with the Indenture (whether in connection with or as a result of a “Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) or for any other reason) by Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any Convertible Notes are delivered to Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries in exchange for delivery of any property or assets of such party (howsoever described), (iii) any principal of any of the Convertible Notes is repaid prior to the final maturity date of the Convertible Notes (for any reason other than as a result of an acceleration of the Convertible Notes that results in an Additional Termination Event pursuant to the preceding Section 9(i)(ii)), or (iv) any Convertible Notes are exchanged by or for the benefit of the holders thereof for any other securities of Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries (or any other property, or any combination thereof) pursuant to any exchange offer or similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, any conversion of Convertible Notes (whether into cash, Shares, reference property or any combination thereof) pursuant to the terms of the Indenture shall not constitute a Repayment Event. In addition, Counterparty acknowledges, based on advice of outside counsel, its responsibilities under applicable securities laws, including, in particular, Sections 9 and 10(b) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder in respect of the Repayment Event, including, without limitation, the delivery of a Repayment Notice hereunder.

 

  (v)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, if a Repurchase Event in respect of Convertible Notes occurs but an Additional Termination Event does not occur in respect of such Repurchase Event under Section 9(i)(iv), then for all purposes hereunder, the Indenture and such Convertible Notes shall be deemed to remain outstanding regardless of whether such Convertible Notes are actually outstanding following such Repurchase Event.

 

  (j)

Amendments to Equity Definitions; Agreement.

 

  (i)

Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the words “that may have a diluting or concentrative effect on the theoretical value of the relevant Shares” and replacing them with the words “that is the result of a corporate event involving the Issuer or its securities that has, in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Calculation Agent, a material economic effect on the Shares or the Options.”

 

  (ii)

Section 12.9(b)(i) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (1) replacing “either party may elect” with “Dealer may elect” and (2) replacing “notice to the other party” with “notice to Counterparty” in the first sentence of such section.

 

28


  (iii)

Section 12(a) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase “or email” in the third line thereof and (2) deleting the phrase “or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day” in the final clause thereof.

 

  (k)

No Setoff. Notwithstanding any provision of the Agreement and this Confirmation (including without limitation this Section 9(k)) or any other agreement between the parties to the contrary, each party waives any and all rights it may have to set off obligations arising under the Agreement and the Transaction against other obligations between the parties, whether arising under any other agreement, applicable law or otherwise.

 

  (l)

Alternative Calculations and Payment on Early Termination and on Certain Extraordinary Events. If (a) an Early Termination Date (whether as a result of an Event of Default or a Termination Event) occurs or is designated with respect to the Transaction or (b) the Transaction is cancelled or terminated upon the occurrence of an Extraordinary Event (except as a result of (i) a Nationalization, Insolvency or Merger Event in which the consideration to be paid to all holders of Shares consists solely of cash, (ii) an Announcement Event, Merger Event or Tender Offer that is within Counterparty’s control, or (iii) an Event of Default in which Counterparty is the Defaulting Party or a Termination Event in which Counterparty is the sole Affected Party other than an Event of Default of the type described in Section 5(a)(iii), (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii) of the Agreement or a Termination Event of the type described in Section 5(b) of the Agreement, in each case that resulted from an event or events outside Counterparty’s control), and if Dealer would owe any amount to Counterparty pursuant to Section 6(d)(ii) of the Agreement or any Cancellation Amount pursuant to Article 12 of the Equity Definitions (any such amount, a “Payment Obligation”), then Dealer shall satisfy the Payment Obligation by the Share Termination Alternative (as defined below), unless (a) Counterparty gives irrevocable telephonic notice to Dealer, confirmed in writing within one Scheduled Trading Day, no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of the Announcement Event, Merger Date, Tender Offer Date, Announcement Date (in the case of a Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting), Early Termination Date or date of cancellation, as applicable, of its election that the Share Termination Alternative shall not apply, (b) Counterparty remakes the representation set forth in Section 8(c) of this Confirmation as of the date of such election and (c) Dealer agrees, in its commercially reasonable discretion, to such election, in which case the provisions of Section 12.7 or Section 12.9 of the Equity Definitions, or the provisions of Section 6(d)(ii) of the Agreement, as the case may be, shall apply.

 

       Share Termination Alternative:    If applicable, Dealer shall deliver to Counterparty the Share Termination Delivery Property on, or within a commercially reasonable period of time after, the date when the relevant Payment Obligation would otherwise be due pursuant to Section 12.7 or 12.9 of the Equity Definitions or Section 6(d)(ii) and 6(e) of the Agreement, as applicable, in satisfaction of such Payment Obligation in the manner reasonably requested by Counterparty free of payment.
  Share Termination Delivery Property:    A number of Share Termination Delivery Units, as calculated by the Calculation Agent, equal to the Payment Obligation divided by the Share Termination Unit Price. The Calculation Agent shall adjust the Share Termination Delivery Property by replacing any fractional portion of a security therein with an amount of cash equal to the value of such fractional security based on the values used to calculate the Share Termination Unit Price.

 

29


       Share Termination Delivery Unit:    One Share or, if the Shares have changed into cash or any other property or the right to receive cash or any other property as the result of a Nationalization, Insolvency or Merger Event (any such cash or other property, the “Exchange Property”), a unit consisting of the type and amount of such Exchange Property received by a holder of one Share (without consideration of any requirement to pay cash or other consideration in lieu of fractional amounts of any securities) in such Nationalization, Insolvency or Merger Event, as determined by the Calculation Agent.
  Share Termination Unit Price:    The value to Dealer of property contained in one Share Termination Delivery Unit, as determined by the Calculation Agent in its discretion by commercially reasonable means and notified by the Calculation Agent to Dealer at the time of notification of the Payment Obligation. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that in determining the Share Termination Delivery Unit Price the Calculation Agent may consider the purchase price paid in connection with the purchase of Share Termination Delivery Property that was purchased in connection with the delivery of the Share Termination Delivery Units.
  Failure to Deliver:    Applicable
  Other applicable provisions:    If Share Termination Alternative is applicable, the provisions of Sections 9.8, 9.9 and 9.11 (as modified above) of the Equity Definitions and the provisions set forth opposite the caption “Representation and Agreement” in Section 2 of this Confirmation will be applicable, except that all references in such provisions to “Physically-settled” shall be read as references to “Share Termination Settled” and all references to “Shares” shall be read as references to “Share Termination Delivery Units”. “Share Termination Settled” in relation to the Transaction means that Share Termination Alternative is applicable to the Transaction.

 

  (m)

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION. EACH PARTY (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF EITHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF SUCH A SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTY HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THE TRANSACTION, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS PROVIDED HEREIN.

 

30


  (n)

Registration. Counterparty hereby agrees that if, in the good faith reasonable judgment of Dealer, based on the advice of counsel, the Shares acquired and held by Dealer for the purpose of effecting a commercially reasonable hedge of its obligations pursuant to the Transaction (“Hedge Shares”) cannot be sold in the public market by Dealer without registration under the Securities Act (other than any such Hedge Shares that were, at the time of acquisition by Dealer, “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act)), Counterparty shall, at its election, either (i) in order to allow Dealer to sell the Hedge Shares in a registered offering, make available to Dealer an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and enter into an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Dealer, substantially in the form of an underwriting agreement for a registered secondary offering of substantially similar size and in a similar industry; provided, however, that if Dealer, in its sole reasonable discretion, is not satisfied with access to due diligence materials, the results of its due diligence investigation, or the procedures and documentation for the registered offering referred to above, then clause (ii) or clause (iii) of this paragraph shall apply at the election of Counterparty, (ii) in order to allow Dealer to sell the Hedge Shares in a private placement, enter into a private placement agreement substantially similar to private placement purchase agreements customary for private placements of equity securities of similar size and industry, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Dealer (in which case, the Calculation Agent shall make any adjustments to the terms of the Transaction that are necessary, in its reasonable judgment, to compensate Dealer for any commercially reasonable discount from the public market price of the Shares incurred on the sale of Hedge Shares in a private placement), or (iii) purchase the Hedge Shares from Dealer at the then-current market price on such Exchange Business Days, and in the amounts and at such time(s), requested by Dealer.

 

  (o)

Tax Disclosure. Effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning the Transaction, Counterparty and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transaction and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to Counterparty relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.

 

  (p)

Right to Extend. Dealer may postpone or add, in whole or in part, any Valid Day or Valid Days during the Settlement Averaging Period or any other date of valuation, payment or delivery by Dealer, with respect to some or all of the Options hereunder, to the extent Dealer reasonably determines (and in the case of clause (ii) below, based on the advice of counsel), that such action is reasonably necessary or appropriate (i) to preserve Dealer’s commercially reasonable hedging or hedge unwind activity hereunder in light of existing liquidity conditions (but only if there is a material decrease in liquidity relative to Dealer’s expectations on the Trade Date) or (ii) to enable Dealer to effect purchases or sales of Shares in connection with its commercially reasonable hedging, hedge unwind or settlement activity hereunder in a manner that would, if Dealer were Counterparty or an affiliated purchaser of Counterparty, be in compliance with applicable legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements, or with related policies and procedures applicable to Dealer (so long as such policies or procedures are consistently applied to transactions similar to the Transaction); provided that no such Valid Day or other date of valuation, payment or delivery may be postponed or added more than 60 Valid Days after the original Valid Day or other date of valuation, payment or delivery, as the case may be.

 

  (q)

Status of Claims in Bankruptcy. Dealer acknowledges and agrees that this Confirmation is not intended to convey to Dealer rights against Counterparty with respect to the Transaction that are senior to the claims of common stockholders of Counterparty in any United States bankruptcy proceedings of Counterparty; provided that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealer’s right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Counterparty of its obligations and agreements with respect to the Transaction; provided further that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealer’s rights in respect of any transactions other than the Transaction.

 

31


  (r)

Securities Contract; Swap Agreement. The parties hereto intend for (i) the Transaction to be a “securities contract” and a “swap agreement” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code, and the parties hereto to be entitled to the protections afforded by, among other Sections, Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(17), 546(e), 546(g), 555 and 560 of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) a party’s right to liquidate the Transaction and to exercise any other remedies upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under the Agreement with respect to the other party to constitute a “contractual right” as described in the Bankruptcy Code, and (iii) each payment and delivery of cash, securities or other property hereunder to constitute a “margin payment” or “settlement payment” and a “transfer” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code.

 

  (s)

Notice of Certain Other Events. Counterparty covenants and agrees that:

 

  (i)

promptly following the public announcement of the results of any election by the holders of Shares with respect to the consideration due upon consummation of any Merger Event, Counterparty shall give Dealer written notice of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by holders of Shares pursuant to such Merger Event (the date of such notification, the “Consideration Notification Date”); provided that in no event shall the Consideration Notification Date be later than the date on which such Merger Event is consummated; and

 

  (ii)

(A) Counterparty shall give Dealer commercially reasonable advance (but in no event less than one Exchange Business Day) written notice of the section or sections of the Indenture and, if applicable, the formula therein, pursuant to which any adjustment will be made to the Convertible Notes in connection with any Potential Adjustment Event, Merger Event or Tender Offer and (B) promptly following any such adjustment, Counterparty shall give Dealer written notice of the details of such adjustment.

 

  (t)

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 the WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, shall limit or otherwise impair either party’s 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, but not limited to, rights arising from Change in Law, Hedging Disruption, an Excess Ownership Position, or Illegality (as defined in the Agreement)).

 

  (u)

Agreements and Acknowledgements Regarding Hedging. Counterparty understands, acknowledges and agrees that: (A) at any time on and prior to the Expiration Date, Dealer 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 adjust its hedge position with respect to the Transaction; (B) Dealer and its affiliates also may be active in the market for Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to the Transaction; (C) Dealer shall make its own determination as to whether, when or in what manner any hedging or market activities in securities of Issuer shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price and market risk with respect to the Relevant Prices; and (D) any market activities of Dealer and its affiliates with respect to Shares may affect the market price and volatility of Shares, as well as the Relevant Prices, each in a manner that may be adverse to Counterparty.

 

  (v)

Early Unwind. In the event the sale of the “Initial Notes” (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) is not consummated with the Initial Purchaser for any reason, or Counterparty fails to deliver to Dealer opinions of counsel as required pursuant to Section 9(a) of this Confirmation, in each case by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Premium Payment Date, or such later date as agreed upon by the parties (the Premium Payment Date or such later date, the “Early Unwind Date”), the Transaction shall automatically terminate (the “Early Unwind”) on the Early Unwind Date and (i) the Transaction and all of the respective rights and obligations of Dealer and Counterparty under the Transaction shall be cancelled and terminated and any Premium shall be returned to Counterparty

 

32


  less any reasonable costs of Dealer and (ii) each party shall be released and discharged by the other party from and agrees not to make any claim against the other party with respect to any obligations or liabilities of the other party arising out of and to be performed in connection with the Transaction either prior to or after the Early Unwind Date. Each of Dealer and Counterparty represents and acknowledges to the other that upon an Early Unwind, all obligations with respect to the Transaction shall be deemed fully and finally discharged.

 

  (w)

Tax Matters.

(i) Withholding Tax imposed on payments to non-U.S. counterparties under the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance provisions of the HIRE Act. The parties hereto agree that for the Transaction the terms “Tax” and “Indemnifiable Tax” as defined in Section 13 of the Agreement, shall not include any Tax imposed pursuant to Section 1471 or 1472 of the Code, as amended, any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code, or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code (a “FATCA Withholding Tax”). For the avoidance of doubt, a FATCA Withholding Tax is a Tax the deduction or withholding of which is required by applicable law for the purposes of Section 2(d)(i) of the Agreement.

(ii) Tax Documentation. For purposes of Section 4(a)(i) and (ii) of the Agreement, (i) Counterparty agrees to deliver to Dealer one duly executed and completed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or successor thereto) and (ii) Dealer agrees to deliver to Counterparty [one duly executed and completed applicable Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or successor thereto)]10, in each case, (A) on or before the date of execution of this Confirmation and (B) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided by it has become obsolete or incorrect. Additionally, each party shall, promptly upon request by the other party, provide such other tax forms and documents as reasonably requested by the other party.

(iii) Payee Tax Representations. Counterparty is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is organized under the laws of the State of Maryland. Counterparty is a “U.S. person” (as that term is used in section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of United States Treasury Regulations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and an exempt recipient under Treasury Regulation Section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii). [Dealer is a “U.S. person” (as that term is used in section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of United States Treasury Regulations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and an exempt recipient under Treasury Regulation Section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii).]11 Each party agrees to give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under this Section 9(w)(iii) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

(iv) Section 871(m). The parties hereto agree that for the Transaction the terms “Tax” and “Indemnifiable Tax” as defined in Section 14 of the Agreement shall not include any tax imposed on payments treated as dividends from sources within the United States under Section 871(m) of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder.

 

  (x)

Payment by Counterparty. In the event that, following payment of the Premium, (i) an Early Termination Date occurs or is designated with respect to the Transaction as a result of a Termination Event or an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default arising under Section 5(a)(ii) or 5(a)(iv) of the Agreement) and, as a result, Counterparty owes to Dealer an amount calculated under Section 6(e) of the Agreement, or (ii) Counterparty owes to Dealer, pursuant to Section 12.7 or Section 12.9 of the Equity Definitions, an amount calculated under Section 12.8 of the Equity Definitions, such amount shall be deemed to be zero.

 

10 

To be updated as appropriate for Dealer.

11 

To be updated as appropriate for Dealer.

 

33


  (y)

Other Adjustments Pursuant to the Equity Definitions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the Equity Definitions or this Confirmation, upon the occurrence of a Merger Date, the occurrence of a Tender Offer Date, or declaration by Counterparty of the terms of any Potential Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent shall determine in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner whether such occurrence or declaration, as applicable, has had a material economic effect on the Transaction, and if so, shall, in its good faith and commercially reasonable discretion, adjust the Cap Price to account for the economic effect on the Transaction of such occurrence or declaration (provided that in no event shall the Cap Price be less than the Strike Price; and provided further that any adjustment to the Cap Price made pursuant to this section shall be made without duplication of any other adjustment hereunder). Solely for purposes of this Section 9(y): (x) the terms “Potential Adjustment Event,” “Merger Event,” and “Tender Offer” shall each have the meanings assigned to each such term in the Equity Definitions (in the case of the definition of “Potential Adjustment Event”, as amended by Section 9(j)(i) of this Confirmation, and in the case of the definition of “Tender Offer”, as amended by the provisions opposite the caption “Announcement Event” in Section 3 of this Confirmation) and (y) “Extraordinary Dividend” means any cash dividend on the Shares other than a regular, quarterly cash dividend in an amount per Share that is less than or equal to the Regular Dividend. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, the entry into (x) open market Share repurchases at prevailing market price and (y) Share repurchases through a dealer pursuant to accelerated share repurchases, forward contracts or similar transactions (including, without limitation, any discount to average VWAP prices) that are entered into at prevailing market prices and in accordance with customary market terms for transactions of such type to repurchase the Shares shall only constitute a Potential Adjustment Event to the extent that, after giving effect to such transaction, the aggregate number of Shares repurchased during the term of the Transaction pursuant to all such transactions described in the immediately preceding proviso would exceed 15% of the number of Shares outstanding as of the Trade Date (as adjusted for any subdivision or combination of the Shares), as determined by the Calculation Agent. Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions will be amended by replacing the phrase “greater than 10% and less than 100% of the outstanding voting shares of the Issuer” in the third and fourth line thereof with “greater than 20% and less than 100% of the outstanding Shares”.

 

  (z)

CARES Act. Counterparty acknowledges that the Transaction may constitute a purchase of its equity securities or a capital distribution. Counterparty further acknowledges that, pursuant to the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), Counterparty will be required to agree to certain time-bound restrictions on its ability to purchase its equity securities or make capital distributions if it receives loans, loan guarantees or direct loans (as that term is defined in the CARES Act) under section 4003(b) of the CARES Act. Counterparty further acknowledges that it may be required to agree to certain time-bound restrictions on its ability to purchase its equity securities or make capital distributions if it receives loans, loan guarantees or direct loans (as that term is defined in the CARES Act) under programs or facilities established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. Department of Treasury or similar governmental entity for the purpose of providing liquidity to the financial system. Accordingly, Counterparty represents and warrants that neither it, nor any of its subsidiaries have applied, and have no present intention to apply, for a loan, loan guarantee, direct loan (as that term is defined in the CARES Act) or other investment, or to receive any financial assistance or relief (howsoever defined) under any program or facility that (a) is established under applicable law (whether in existence as of the Trade Date or subsequently enacted, adopted or amended), including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (b) requires under applicable law (or any regulation, guidance, interpretation or other pronouncement thereunder), as a condition of such loan, loan guarantee, direct loan (as that term is defined in the CARES Act), investment, financial assistance or relief, that Counterparty comply with any requirement to, or otherwise agree, attest, certify or warrant that it has not, as of the date specified in such condition, repurchased, or will not repurchase, any equity security of Counterparty; provided that Counterparty may apply for any such governmental assistance if Counterparty determines based on the advice of nationally recognized outside counsel that the terms of the Transaction would not cause Counterparty to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of such

 

34


  governmental assistance based on the terms of the relevant program or facility as of the date of such advice. Counterparty further represents and warrants that the Premium is not being paid, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with funds received under or pursuant to any program or facility, including the U.S. Small Business Administration’s “Paycheck Protection Program”, that (a) is established under applicable law, including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (b) requires under such applicable law (or any regulation, guidance, interpretation or other pronouncement of a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility) that such funds be used for specified or enumerated purposes that do not include the purchase of this Transaction (either by specific reference to this Transaction or by general reference to transactions with the attributes of this Transaction in all relevant respects).

 

  (aa)

[Insert Dealer agency boilerplate, if applicable.]

 

  (bb)

[Insert preferred form of US QFC Stay Rule language for each Dealer, as applicable.]

 

  (cc)

[Insert additional Dealer boilerplate, if applicable.]

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

35


Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of the agreement between Dealer and Counterparty with respect to the Transaction, by signing this Confirmation or this page hereof as evidence of agreement to such terms and providing the other information requested herein and returning an executed copy to Dealer.

 

 

Very truly yours,
[Dealer]12
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

 

12 

Include Dealer preferred signature page information, as applicable.

 

[Signature Page to the Base Capped Call Confirmation]


Accepted and confirmed

as of the Trade Date:

 

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to the Base Capped Call Confirmation]

Exhibit 10.2

[Dealer’s name]

[Dealer’s address]1

May 7, 2024

 

To:

Meritage Homes Corporation

18655 North Claret Drive, Suite 400

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Attention: [   ]

Telephone: [   ]

Email: [      ]

Attention: [    ]

Telephone: [   ]

Email: [      ]

Re: Additional Call Option Transaction

The purpose of this letter agreement (this “Confirmation”) is to confirm the terms and conditions of the call option transaction entered into between [DEALER] (“Dealer”) and Meritage Homes Corporation (“Counterparty”) as of the Trade Date specified below (the “Transaction”). This letter agreement constitutes a “Confirmation” as referred to in the ISDA Master Agreement specified below. Each party further agrees that this Confirmation together with the Agreement evidence a complete binding agreement between Counterparty and Dealer as to the subject matter and terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates, and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.

The definitions and provisions contained in the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the “Equity Definitions”), as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”), are incorporated into this Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between the Equity Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern. Certain defined terms used herein are based on terms that are defined in the Offering Memorandum dated May 6, 2024 (the “Offering Memorandum”) relating to the 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (as originally issued by Counterparty, the “Convertible Notes” and each USD 1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, a “Convertible Note”) issued by Counterparty in an aggregate initial principal amount of USD 500,000,000 (as increased by an aggregate principal amount of USD 75,000,000 pursuant to the exercise by the Initial Purchasers (as defined below) of their option to purchase additional Convertible Notes pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated as of May 6, 2024, among Counterparty and [      ], as representatives of the Initial Purchasers party thereto (the “Initial Purchasers”)), pursuant to an Indenture to be dated May 9, 2024 between Counterparty and Regions Bank, as trustee (the “Indenture”). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms defined in the Offering Memorandum, the Indenture and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern. The parties acknowledge that this Confirmation is entered into on the date hereof with the understanding that (i) definitions set forth in the Indenture that are also defined herein by reference to the Indenture and (ii) sections of the Indenture that are referred to herein will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum. If any such definitions in the Indenture or any such sections of the Indenture differ from the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum, the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum will govern for purposes of this Confirmation. The parties further acknowledge that the Indenture section numbers and cross-references used herein are based on the draft of the Indenture last reviewed by Dealer as of the date of this Confirmation, and if any such section numbers or cross-references are changed in the Indenture as executed, the parties will amend this Confirmation in good faith to preserve the intent of the parties. Subject to the foregoing, references to the Indenture herein are references to the Indenture as in effect on the date of its execution, and if the Indenture is amended or supplemented following such date (other than any amendment or supplement (x) pursuant to Section 10.01(h) of the Indenture that, as determined by the Calculation Agent, conforms the Indenture to the description of Convertible Notes in the Offering Memorandum or (y) pursuant to Section 14.07 of the Indenture, subject, in the case of this clause (y), to the second paragraph under “Method of Adjustment” in Section 3 of this Confirmation), any such amendment or supplement will be disregarded for purposes of this Confirmation (other than as provided in Section 9(i)(iii) of this Confirmation) unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. For the purposes of the Equity Definitions, the Transaction shall be deemed to be a Share Option Transaction.

 

1 

Include Dealer name, address and, if applicable, logo.


Each party is hereby advised, and each such party acknowledges, that the other party has engaged in, or refrained from engaging in, substantial financial transactions and has taken other material actions in reliance upon the parties’ entry into the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates on the terms and conditions set forth below.

1. This Confirmation evidences a complete and binding agreement between Dealer and Counterparty as to the terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. This Confirmation shall supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement in the form of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement (the “Agreement”) as if Dealer and Counterparty had executed an agreement in such form on the Trade Date (but without any Schedule except for (i) the election of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law (without reference to choice of law doctrine other than Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law); (ii) the election of US Dollars as the Termination Currency; (iii) the election that the “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement shall apply solely to Dealer with a “Threshold Amount” of three percent of the shareholders’ equity of [Dealer][Dealer’s ultimate parent] as of the Trade Date; provided that (A) “Specified Indebtedness” shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of Dealer’s banking business, (B) the phrase “or becoming capable at such time of being declared” shall be deleted from clause (1) of such Section 5(a)(vi) and (C) the following sentence shall be added to the end of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement: “Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under subsection (2) hereof shall not constitute an Event of Default if (i) the default was caused solely by error or omission of an administrative or operational nature; (ii) funds were available to enable the party to make the payment when due; and (iii) the payment is made within two Local Business Days of such party’s receipt of written notice of its failure to pay.” and (iv) the modification that following the payment of the Premium, the condition precedent in Section 2(a)(iii) of the Agreement with respect to Events of Default or Potential Events of Default (other than an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default arising under Section 5(a)(ii), 5(a)(iv) or 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement) shall not apply to a payment or delivery owing by Dealer to Counterparty). In the event of any inconsistency between provisions of the Agreement and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. The parties hereby agree that no transaction other than the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates shall be governed by the Agreement. If there exists any ISDA Master Agreement between Dealer and Counterparty or any confirmation or other agreement between Dealer and Counterparty pursuant to which an ISDA Master Agreement is deemed to exist between Dealer and Counterparty, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in such ISDA Master Agreement, such confirmation or agreement or any other agreement to which Dealer and Counterparty are parties, the Transaction shall not be considered a Transaction under, or otherwise governed by, such existing or deemed ISDA Master Agreement.

2. The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:

 

General Terms.

  

Trade Date:

   May 7, 2024

Effective Date:

   The second Exchange Business Day immediately prior to the Premium Payment Date

Option Style:

   “Modified American”, as described under “Procedures for Exercise” below

Option Type:

   Call

Buyer:

   Counterparty

Seller:

   Dealer

Shares:

   The common stock of Counterparty, par value USD 0.01 per share (Exchange symbol “MTH”).

 

2


Number of Options:

   [  ]. For the avoidance of doubt, the Number of Options shall be reduced by any Options exercised or deemed exercised by Counterparty. In no event will the Number of Options be less than zero.

Applicable Percentage:

   [__]%

Option Entitlement:

   A number equal to the product of the Applicable Percentage and [______]2.

Strike Price:

   USD [______]

Cap Price:

   USD [______]; provided that in no event shall the Cap Price be reduced to an amount less than the Strike Price in connection with any adjustment by the Calculation Agent under this Confirmation.

Premium:

   USD [______]

Premium Payment Date:

   May 9, 2024

Exchange:

   The New York Stock Exchange

Related Exchange(s):

   All Exchanges

Excluded Provisions:

   Section 14.04(h) and Section 14.03 of the Indenture.

Procedures for Exercise.

  

Conversion Date:

   With respect to any conversion of a Convertible Note (other than (1) any conversion of Convertible Notes with a Conversion Date occurring prior to the Free Convertibility Date and (2) any conversion of Convertible Notes occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date in connection with a “Make-Whole Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture) (any such conversion described in (1) or (2), above, an “Early Conversion”), to which the provisions of Section 9(i)(i) of this Confirmation shall apply), the date on which the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of such Convertible Note satisfies all of the requirements for conversion thereof as set forth in Section 14.02(b) of the Indenture; provided that if Counterparty has not delivered to Dealer a related Notice of Exercise, then in no event shall a Conversion Date be deemed to occur hereunder (and no Option shall be exercised or deemed to be exercised hereunder) with respect to any surrender of a Convertible Note for conversion in respect of which Counterparty has elected to designate a financial institution for exchange in lieu of conversion of such Convertible Note pursuant to Section 14.12 of the Indenture.

Free Convertibility Date:

   February 15, 2028

 

 

2 

Insert the initial Conversion Rate for the Convertible Notes.

 

3


Expiration Time:

   The Valuation Time

Expiration Date:

   May 15, 2028, subject to earlier exercise.

Multiple Exercise:

   Applicable, as described under “Automatic Exercise” below.

Automatic Exercise:

   Notwithstanding Section 3.4 of the Equity Definitions, on each Conversion Date occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date, in respect of which a “Notice of Conversion” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) that is effective as to Counterparty has been delivered by the relevant converting “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture), a number of Options equal to (i) the number of Convertible Notes in denominations of USD 1,000 as to which such Conversion Date has occurred, minus (ii) the number of Options that are or are deemed to be automatically exercised on such Conversion Date under the Base Call Option Transaction Confirmation letter agreement dated May 6, 2024 between Dealer and Counterparty (the “Base Call Option Confirmation”) (and for the purposes of determining whether any Options under this Confirmation or under the Base Call Option Confirmation will be automatically exercised hereunder or under the Base Call Option Confirmation, the Convertible Notes subject to conversion shall be allocated first to the Base Call Option Confirmation until all Options thereunder are exercised or terminated), shall be deemed to be automatically exercised; provided that such Options shall be exercised or deemed exercised only if Counterparty has provided a Notice of Exercise to Dealer in accordance with “Notice of Exercise” below.
   Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the number of Options that are exercised or deemed exercised hereunder exceed the Number of Options.

Automatic Exercise of Remaining Repurchase Options After Free Convertibility Date:

   Notwithstanding anything herein or in Section 3.4 of the Equity Definitions to the contrary, unless Counterparty notifies Dealer in writing prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Scheduled Valid Day immediately preceding the Expiration Date that it does not wish Automatic Exercise to occur, a number of Options equal to the lesser of (a) the Number of Options (after giving effect to the provisions opposite the caption “Automatic Exercise” above) as of 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Expiration Date and (b) the Remaining Repurchase Options minus the number of Remaining Options (as defined in the Base Call Option Confirmation) (such lesser number, the “Remaining Options”) will be deemed to be automatically exercised as if (i) a number of Convertible Notes (in denominations of USD 1,000 principal amount) equal to such number of Remaining Options were

 

4


   converted with a Conversion Date occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date and (ii) the Settlement Method applied to such Convertible Notes; provided that no such automatic exercise pursuant to this paragraph will occur if the Relevant Price for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period is less than or equal to the Strike Price. “Remaining Repurchase Options” shall mean the excess of (I) the aggregate number of Convertible Notes that were subject to Repayment Events (as defined below) (other than Repayment Events pursuant to the terms of the Indenture) described in clause (ii) of Section 9(i)(iv) (“Repurchase Events”) during the term of the Transaction over (II) the aggregate number of Repayment Options that were terminated hereunder relating to Repurchase Events during the term of the Transaction plus the aggregate number of Repayment Options (as defined in the Base Call Option Confirmation) terminated under the Base Call Option Confirmation relating to Repurchase Events (as defined therein) during the term of the “Transaction” under the Base Call Option Confirmation. Counterparty shall notify Dealer in writing of the number of Remaining Repurchase Options before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Scheduled Valid Day immediately preceding the Expiration Date.

Notice of Exercise:

   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions or under “Automatic Exercise” above, but subject to “Automatic Exercise of Remaining Repurchase Options After Free Convertibility Date” above, in order to exercise any Options relating to Convertible Notes with a Conversion Date occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date, Counterparty must notify Dealer in writing before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Scheduled Valid Day immediately preceding the Expiration Date specifying the number of such Options that are to be exercised; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, such notice (and the related exercise of Options hereunder) shall be effective if given after the applicable notice deadline specified above but prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time), on the fifth Exchange Business Day following such notice deadline, in which event the Calculation Agent shall have the right to adjust Dealer’s delivery obligation hereunder and the Settlement Date in a commercially reasonable manner, with respect to the exercise of such Options, as appropriate to reflect the additional commercially reasonable costs (including, but not limited to, losses as a result of hedging mismatches and market losses) and expenses incurred by Dealer in connection with its hedging activities, with such adjustments made assuming that Dealer maintains commercially reasonable hedge positions (including the unwinding of any hedge positions), solely resulting from Dealer not having received such notice prior to such notice deadline (it being understood that the adjusted delivery obligations described in the preceding proviso can never be

 

5


   less than zero and can never require any payment by Counterparty); provided, further that if the Relevant Settlement Method for such Options is not Net Share Settlement, Dealer shall have received a separate notice (the “Notice of Final Settlement Method”) in respect of all such Convertible Notes before 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Free Convertibility Date specifying (1) the Relevant Settlement Method for such Options, and (2) if the Relevant Settlement Method for such Options is Combination Settlement, the percentage of the consideration due upon conversion per Convertible Note in excess of the principal amount thereof that Counterparty has elected to pay to “Holders” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the related Convertible Notes in cash (the “Cash Percentage”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if Counterparty does not timely deliver the Notice of Final Settlement Method, then the Notice of Final Settlement Method shall be deemed timely given and the Relevant Settlement Method specified therein shall be deemed to be Net Share Settlement. Counterparty acknowledges its responsibilities under applicable securities laws, and in particular Section 9 and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined below) and the rules and regulations thereunder, in respect of any election (or any deemed election) of a settlement method with respect to the Convertible Notes.

Valuation Time:

   At the close of trading of the regular trading session on the Exchange; provided that if the principal trading session is extended, the Calculation Agent shall determine the Valuation Time in its commercially reasonable discretion.

Market Disruption Event:

   Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby replaced in its entirety by the following: “‘Market Disruption Event’ means, in respect of a Share, (i) a failure by the primary United States national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Shares are listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Scheduled Valid Day for the Shares for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Shares or in any options contracts or futures contracts on any Related Exchange relating to the Shares.”

Settlement Terms.

  

Settlement Method:

   For any Option, Net Share Settlement; provided that if the Relevant Settlement Method set forth below for such Option is not Net Share Settlement, then the Settlement Method for such Option shall be such Relevant Settlement Method, but only if Counterparty shall have timely notified Dealer of the Relevant Settlement Method in the Notice of Final Settlement Method for such Option.

 

6


Relevant Settlement Method:

   In respect of any Option:
   (i) if Counterparty has not elected to settle all or any portion of its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note in excess of the principal amount thereof in cash either by specifying a Cash Percentage of 0% or not timely specifying a Cash Percentage, in each case, pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii) of the Indenture, then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Net Share Settlement;
   (ii) if Counterparty has elected to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note in excess of the principal amount thereof in a combination of cash and Shares by specifying a Cash Percentage less than 100% but greater than 0% pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii) of the Indenture, then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Combination Settlement; and
   (iii) if Counterparty has elected to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note in excess of the principal amount thereof entirely in cash by specifying a Cash Percentage of 100% pursuant to Section 14.02(a)(iii) of the Indenture, then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Cash Settlement.

Net Share Settlement:

   If Net Share Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, Dealer will deliver to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option, a number of Shares (the “Net Share Settlement Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for each such Option, of (i) (a) the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day, divided by (b) the Relevant Price on such Valid Day, divided by (ii) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that in no event shall the Net Share Settlement Amount for any Option exceed a number of Shares equal to the Applicable Limit for such Option divided by the Applicable Limit Price on the Settlement Date for such Option.
   Dealer will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional Shares to be delivered with respect to any Net Share Settlement Amount valued at the Relevant Price for the last Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period.

Combination Settlement:

   If Combination Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, Dealer will pay or deliver, as the case may be, to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option:
  

(i) cash (the “Combination Settlement Cash Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day

 

7


   during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of (A) an amount (the “Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount”) equal to the product of (1) the Cash Percentage and (2) the Daily Option Value, divided by (B) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that if the calculation in clause (A) above results in zero or a negative number for any Valid Day, the Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero; and
  

(ii)  Shares (the “Combination Settlement Share Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of a number of Shares for such Valid Day (the “Daily Combination Settlement Share Amount”) equal to (A) (1) the Daily Option Value on such Valid Day minus the Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount for such Valid Day, divided by (2) the Relevant Price on such Valid Day, divided by (B) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that if the calculation in sub-clause (A)(1) above results in zero or a negative number for any Valid Day, the Daily Combination Settlement Share Amount for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero;

   provided that in no event shall the sum of (x) the Combination Settlement Cash Amount for any Option and (y) the Combination Settlement Share Amount for such Option multiplied by the Applicable Limit Price on the Settlement Date for such Option, exceed the Applicable Limit for such Option.
   Dealer will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional Shares to be delivered with respect to any Combination Settlement Share Amount valued at the Relevant Price for the last Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period.

Cash Settlement:

   If Cash Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, in lieu of Section 8.1 of the Equity Definitions, Dealer will pay to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option, an amount of cash (the “Cash Settlement Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of (i) the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day, divided by (ii) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that in no event shall the Cash Settlement Amount for any Option exceed the Applicable Limit for such Option.

Daily Option Value:

   For any Valid Day, an amount equal to (i) the Option Entitlement on such Valid Day, multiplied by (ii) (A) the lesser of the Relevant Price on such Valid Day and the Cap Price, less (B) the Strike Price on such Valid Day; provided

 

8


   that if the calculation contained in clause (ii) above results in a negative number, the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero. In no event will the Daily Option Value be less than zero.

Applicable Limit:

   For any Option, an amount of cash equal to the Applicable Percentage multiplied by the excess of (i) the aggregate of (A) the amount of cash paid to the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the related Convertible Note upon conversion of such Convertible Note and (B) the number of Shares, if any, delivered to the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the related Convertible Note upon conversion of such Convertible Note multiplied by the Applicable Limit Price on the Settlement Date for such Option, over (ii) USD 1,000.

Applicable Limit Price:

   On any day, the opening price as displayed under the heading “Op” on Bloomberg page MTH <equity> (or any successor thereto).

Valid Day:

   A day on which (i) there is no Market Disruption Event and (ii) trading in the Shares generally occurs on the Exchange or, if the Shares are not then listed on the Exchange, on the principal other United States national or regional securities exchange on which the Shares are then listed or, if the Shares are not then listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Shares are then listed or admitted for trading. If the Shares are not so listed or admitted for trading, “Valid Day” means a Business Day.

Scheduled Valid Day:

   A day that is scheduled to be a Valid Day on the principal United States national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Shares are listed or admitted for trading. If the Shares are not so listed or admitted for trading, “Scheduled Valid Day” means a Business Day.

Business Day:

   A “Business Day” as defined in the Indenture.

Relevant Price:

   On any Valid Day, the per Share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page MTH <equity> AQR (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading on the Exchange to the Scheduled Closing Time of the Exchange on such Valid 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 in a commercially reasonable manner using, if practicable, a volume-weighted average method). The Relevant Price will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

 

9


Settlement Averaging Period:

   For any Option, the 50 consecutive Valid Days commencing on, and including, the 51st Scheduled Valid Day immediately prior to the Expiration Date.

Settlement Date:

   For any Option, the later of (i) the second Business Day immediately following the final Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option and (ii) the settlement date for the consideration due upon conversion of the related Convertible Note, as notified by Counterparty to Dealer in writing (which notice may, for the avoidance of doubt, be by email) prior to the date specified in clause (i). For the avoidance of doubt, in the absence of the notice specified in clause (ii) of the foregoing sentence prior to the date specified in clause (i) of the foregoing sentence, the Settlement Date shall be as specified in clause (i) of the foregoing sentence.

Settlement Currency:

   USD

Other Applicable Provisions:

   The provisions of Sections 9.1(c), 9.8, 9.9 and 9.11 of the Equity Definitions will be applicable, except that all references in such provisions to “Physically-settled” shall be read as references to “Share Settled”. “Share Settled” in relation to any Option means that Net Share Settlement or Combination Settlement is applicable to that Option.

Representation and Agreement:

   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions (including, but not limited to, Section 9.11 thereof), the parties acknowledge that (i) any Shares delivered to Counterparty shall be, upon delivery, subject to restrictions and limitations arising from (x) Counterparty’s status as issuer of the Shares under applicable securities laws and (y) Counterparty’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended from time to time (the “Charter”), or Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended from time to time (the “By-Laws”), (ii) Dealer may deliver any Shares required to be delivered hereunder in certificated form in lieu of delivery through the Clearance System, (iii) any Shares delivered to Counterparty may be “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) and (iv) the Representation and Agreement contained in Section 9.11 of the Equity Definitions shall be deemed modified accordingly.

3.  Additional Terms applicable to the Transaction.

Adjustments applicable to the Transaction:

  

Potential Adjustment Events:

   Notwithstanding Section 11.2(e) of the Equity Definitions, a “Potential Adjustment Event” means an occurrence of any event or condition, as set forth in any Dilution Adjustment Provision, that requires an adjustment under the Indenture to the “Conversion Rate” or the composition of a “unit of Reference Property” or to any “Last Reported Sale Price”, “Daily VWAP,” “Daily Conversion Value,”

 

10


   “Daily Net Settlement Amount” or “Daily Settlement Amount” (as each such term is defined in the Indenture). For the avoidance of doubt, Dealer shall not have any delivery or payment obligation hereunder, and no adjustment shall be made to the terms of the Transaction, on account of (x) any distribution of cash, property or securities by Counterparty to “Holders” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) (upon conversion or otherwise) or (y) any other transaction in which “Holders” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) are entitled to participate, in each case, in lieu of an adjustment under the Indenture of the type referred to in the immediately preceding sentence (including, without limitation, pursuant to the fourth sentence of Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture or the fifth sentence of Section 14.04(d) of the Indenture).

Method of Adjustment:

   Calculation Agent Adjustment, which shall not have the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(c) of the Equity Definitions and instead shall mean that, upon any Potential Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent shall make adjustments in a commercially reasonable manner to any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement, the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares and the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction that correspond to the adjustments to the Convertible Notes under the Indenture.
   Notwithstanding the foregoing and “Consequences of Merger Events / Tender Offers” below, if the Calculation Agent in good faith disagrees with any adjustment to the Convertible Notes determined pursuant to the Indenture that involves an exercise of discretion by Counterparty or its board of directors (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 14.05 of the Indenture, Section 14.07 of the Indenture or any supplemental indenture entered into thereunder or in connection with any proportional adjustment or the determination of the fair value of any securities, property, rights or other assets), then in each such case, the Calculation Agent will determine the adjustment to be made to any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement, the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares and the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction, using, if applicable, the methodology set forth in the Indenture for any such adjustment and taking into account the relevant provisions of the Indenture, in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.
   Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (i) in connection with any Potential Adjustment Event as a result of an event or condition set forth in Section 14.04(b) of the Indenture or Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture where, in either case, the period for determining “Y” (as such term is used in Section 14.04(b) of the Indenture) or “SP0” (as such term is used in Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture), as

 

11


   the case may be, begins before Counterparty has publicly announced the event or condition giving rise to such Potential Adjustment Event, then the Calculation Agent shall, acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, have the right to adjust any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options and Option Entitlement, the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares and the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction as appropriate to reflect the commercially reasonable costs incurred by Dealer in connection with its hedging activities, with such adjustments to be made assuming that Dealer maintains commercially reasonable hedge positions, as a result of such event or condition not having been publicly announced prior to the beginning of such period and (ii) if any Potential Adjustment Event is declared and (a) the event or condition giving rise to such Potential Adjustment Event is subsequently amended, modified, cancelled or abandoned, (b) the “Conversion Rate” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) is otherwise not adjusted at the time or in the manner contemplated by the relevant Dilution Adjustment Provision based on such declaration or (c) the “Conversion Rate” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) is adjusted as a result of such Potential Adjustment Event and subsequently re-adjusted (each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), a “Potential Adjustment Event Change”) then, in each case, the Calculation Agent shall have the right to adjust any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options and Option Entitlement, the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares and the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction as appropriate to reflect the costs (including, but not limited to, hedging mismatches and market losses) and expenses incurred by Dealer in connection with its commercially reasonable hedging activities as a result of such Potential Adjustment Event Change, with such adjustments to be made assuming that Dealer maintains commercially reasonable hedge positions.

Dilution Adjustment Provisions:

   Sections 14.04(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) and Section 14.05 of the Indenture.

Extraordinary Events applicable to the Transaction:

Merger Events:

   Applicable; provided that notwithstanding Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions, a “Merger Event” means the occurrence of any event or condition set forth in the definition of “Share Exchange Event” in Section 14.07(a) of the Indenture.

Tender Offers:

   Applicable; provided that “Tender Offer” shall not have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions and instead shall mean the occurrence of any event or condition set forth in Section 14.04(e) of the Indenture.

 

12


Consequences of Merger Events/ Tender Offers:

   Notwithstanding Section 12.2 and Section 12.3 of the Equity Definitions, upon the occurrence of a Merger Event or a Tender Offer, the Calculation Agent shall make a corresponding adjustment in respect of any adjustment under the Indenture to any one or more of the composition of the “Shares” for the Transaction (in the case of a Merger Event), Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement, and the Relevant Price and/or other applicable price with respect to the Shares for the Transaction to the extent that an analogous adjustment is required to be made pursuant to the Indenture in respect of such Merger Event or Tender Offer, subject to the second paragraph under “Method of Adjustment”; provided, however, that such adjustment shall be made without regard to any adjustment to the “Conversion Rate” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) pursuant to any Excluded Provision; provided further that if, with respect to a Merger Event or a Tender Offer, (i) the consideration for the Shares includes (or, at the option of a holder of Shares, may include) shares of an entity or person that is not a corporation or is not organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia or (ii) the Counterparty to the Transaction following such Merger Event or Tender Offer will not be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, then, in either case, Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination) shall apply if (A) Dealer determines in a commercially reasonable manner at any time following the occurrence of such Merger Event or Tender Offer that (x) such Merger Event or Tender Offer has had or will have an adverse effect on Dealer’s rights and obligations under the Transaction or (y) Dealer will incur or has incurred an increased (as compared with circumstances existing on the Trade Date) amount of tax, duty, expense or fee to (1) acquire, establish, re-establish, substitute, maintain, unwind or dispose of any transaction(s) or asset(s) constituting a commercially reasonable hedge position in respect of the economic risk of entering into and performing its obligations with respect to the Transaction or (2) realize, recover or remit the proceeds of any transaction(s) or asset(s) constituting a commercially reasonable hedge position in respect of the economic risk of entering into and performing its obligations with respect to the Transaction or (B) Dealer determines, in its good faith and commercially reasonable judgment, that it will not be in compliance with applicable legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements, or with related policies and procedures, applicable to Dealer; provided further that, for the avoidance of doubt, adjustments shall be made pursuant to the provisions set forth above regardless of whether any Merger Event or Tender Offer gives rise to an Early Conversion.

 

13


Consequences of Announcement Events:

   Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment as set forth in Section 12.3(d) of the Equity Definitions; provided that, in respect of an Announcement Event (w) references in such Section 12.3(d) to “Tender Offer” shall be replaced by references to “Announcement Event” and references in such Section 12.3(d) to “Tender Offer Date” shall be replaced by references to “date of such Announcement Event”, (x) the phrase “exercise, settlement, payment or any other terms of the Transaction (including, without limitation, the spread)” in such Section 12.3(d) shall be replaced with the phrase “Cap Price (provided that in no event shall the Cap Price be less than the Strike Price)”, (y) the words “whether within a commercially reasonable (as determined by the Calculation Agent) period of time prior to or after the Announcement Event,” shall be inserted prior to the word “which” in the seventh line of such Section 12.3(d), and (z) for the avoidance of doubt, the Calculation Agent shall determine whether the relevant Announcement Event has had a material economic effect on the Transaction (and, if so, shall, acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, adjust the Cap Price accordingly) on one or more occasions on or after the date of the Announcement Event up to, and including, the Expiration Date, any Early Termination Date and/or any other date of cancellation, it being understood that (1) any adjustment in respect of an Announcement Event shall take into account any earlier adjustment relating to the same Announcement Event and (2) such adjustment shall be made without duplication of any other adjustment hereunder. An Announcement Event shall be an “Extraordinary Event” for purposes of the Equity Definitions, to which Article 12 of the Equity Definitions, as modified in this paragraph, is applicable.

Announcement Event:

   (i) The public announcement by the Issuer, any subsidiary or agent of the Issuer or any Valid Third Party Entity or any affiliate of a Valid Third Party Entity of (x) any transaction or event that the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably likely to be completed (it being understood that in making such determination, the Calculation Agent may take into consideration the effect of such announcement on the market for the Shares and/or options on the Shares) and that, if completed, would constitute a Merger Event or Tender Offer, (y) any potential acquisition or disposition by Issuer and/or its subsidiaries where the aggregate consideration exceeds 35% of the market capitalization of Issuer as of the date of such announcement (an “Acquisition Transaction”) or (z) the intention to enter into a Merger Event or Tender Offer or an Acquisition Transaction, (ii) the public announcement by Issuer of an intention to solicit or enter into, or to explore strategic alternatives or other similar undertaking that may include, a Merger Event or Tender Offer or an Acquisition Transaction or (iii) any subsequent public announcement by the Issuer, any subsidiary or agent of the Issuer or any

 

14


   Valid Third Party Entity or any affiliate of a Valid Third Party Entity of a change to a transaction or intention that is the subject of an announcement of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence (including, without limitation, a new announcement, whether or not by the same party, relating to such a transaction or intention or the announcement of a withdrawal from, or the abandonment or discontinuation of, such a transaction or intention), as determined by the Calculation Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, the occurrence of an Announcement Event with respect to any transaction or intention shall not preclude the occurrence of a later Announcement Event with respect to such transaction or intention. If the Calculation Agent shall make any adjustment to the terms of the Transaction upon the occurrence of a particular Announcement Event, then the Calculation Agent shall make an adjustment to the terms of the Transaction upon any announcement prior to the exercise or other cancellation or termination of the Transaction regarding the abandonment of any such event that gave rise to the original Announcement Event. For purposes of this definition of “Announcement Event,” (A) “Merger Event” shall mean such term as defined under Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions (but, for the avoidance of doubt, the remainder of the definition of “Merger Event” in Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions following the definition of “Reverse Merger” therein shall be disregarded) and (B) “Tender Offer” shall mean such term as defined under Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions, except that all references to “voting shares” in Sections 12.1(d), 12.1(e) and 12.1(l) of the Equity Definitions shall be deemed to be references to “Shares”.

Valid Third Party Entity:

   In respect of any transaction that could be an Announcement Event, any third party that the Calculation Agent, acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, determines (i) has a bona fide intent to enter into or consummate such transaction and (ii) is capable of consummating such transaction (it being understood and agreed that in determining whether such third party has such a bona fide intent or is capable of consummating such transaction, the Calculation Agent may take into consideration the effect of the relevant announcement by such third party on the Shares and/or options relating to the Shares).

Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting:

   Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination); provided that, in addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it will also constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or their respective successors); if the Shares are immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or their respective successors), such exchange or quotation system shall thereafter be deemed to be the Exchange.

 

15


Additional Disruption Events:

  

Change in Law:

   Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (i) replacing the phrase “the interpretation” in the third line thereof with the phrase “, or public announcement of, the formal or informal interpretation”, (ii) replacing the word “Shares” where it appears in clause (X) thereof with the words “Hedge Position”, (iii) replacing the parenthetical beginning after the word “regulation” in the second line thereof with the words “(including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, (x) any tax law or (y) adoption, effectiveness or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute)” and (iv) adding the words “provided that in the case of clause (Y) hereof, the consequence of such law, regulation or interpretation is applied consistently by Dealer to all similar transactions in a non-discriminatory manner;” after the semi-colon in the last line thereof.

Failure to Deliver:

   Applicable

Hedging Disruption:

   Applicable; provided that:
  

(i) Section 12.9(a)(v) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by inserting the following two phrases at the end of such Section:

  

“For the avoidance of doubt, the term “equity price risk” shall be deemed to include, but shall not be limited to, stock price and volatility risk. And, for the further avoidance of doubt, any such transactions or assets referred to in phrases (A) or (B) above must be available on commercially reasonable pricing terms.”;

  

(ii)  Section 12.9(b)(iii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by inserting in the third line thereof, after the words “to terminate the Transaction”, the words “or the portion of the Transaction affected by such Hedging Disruption”; and

  

(iii)  it shall not be a Hedging Disruption if such inability occurs solely due to the deterioration of the creditworthiness of the Hedging Party.

Increased Cost of Hedging:

   Not Applicable

 

16


Hedging Party:    For all applicable Additional Disruption Events, Dealer. Following any determination by the Hedging Party hereunder (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any discretionary act or election permitted to be made by Hedging Party), within five Business Days following a written request by Counterparty therefor, the Hedging Party shall provide to Counterparty by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Counterparty a written explanation and report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) describing in reasonable detail any determination made by it (including, as applicable, any quotations, market data, information from internal sources used in making such determinations, descriptions of the methodology and any assumptions and basis used in making for such determination), it being understood that the Hedging Party shall not be obligated to disclose any proprietary or confidential models or proprietary or confidential information used by it for such determination. All calculations, adjustments and determinations by Dealer acting in its capacity as the Hedging Party shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and assuming that Dealer maintains a commercially reasonable hedge position.

Determining Party:

   For all applicable Extraordinary Events, Dealer. Following any determination by the Determining Party hereunder, within five Business Days following a written request by Counterparty therefor, the Determining Party shall provide to Counterparty by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Counterparty a written explanation and report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) describing in reasonable detail any determination made by it (including, as applicable, any quotations, market data, information from internal sources used in making such determinations, descriptions of the methodology and any assumptions and basis used in making for such determination), it being understood that the Determining Party shall not be obligated to disclose any proprietary or confidential models or proprietary or confidential information used by it for such determination. All calculations, adjustments, and determinations by Dealer acting in its capacity as the Determining Party shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.

Non-Reliance:

   Applicable

Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging Activities:

   Applicable

Additional Acknowledgments:

   Applicable

 

17


4.  Calculation Agent.

   Dealer; provided that all calculations and determinations by the Calculation Agent shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and assuming for such purposes that Dealer is maintaining, establishing or unwinding, as applicable, a commercially reasonable hedge position. Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default described in Section 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement with respect to which Dealer is the Defaulting Party, Counterparty shall have the right to designate an independent, nationally recognized equity derivatives dealer to replace Dealer as Calculation Agent, and the parties shall work in good faith to execute any appropriate documentation required by such replacement Calculation Agent. Following any determination or calculation by the Calculation Agent hereunder, as soon as reasonably practicable but in any event within five Business Days following a written request by Counterparty therefor, the Calculation Agent shall provide to Counterparty by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Counterparty in such request a written explanation and report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) displaying in commercially reasonable detail the basis for such determination or calculation (including any quotations, market data or information from internal or external sources, and any assumptions, used in making such determination or calculation), it being understood that the Calculation Agent shall not be obligated to disclose any proprietary or confidential models or proprietary or confidential information used by it for such determination or calculation.

 

5.

Account Details.

 

  (a)

Account for payments to Counterparty:

ACCT NAME: [     ]

ABA: [    ]

ACCT NUMBER: [   ]

Swift code: [    ]

Account for delivery of Shares to Counterparty:

To be provided.

 

  (b)

Account for payments to Dealer:

[Bank:]      [_________]

[SWIFT:]      [_________]

[Bank Routing:] [_________]

[Acct Name:]   [_________]

[Acct No.:]     [_________]3

Account for delivery of Shares from Dealer:

To be provided.

 

 

3 

Insert Dealer’s account information.

 

18


6.

Offices.

 

  (a)

The Office of Counterparty for the Transaction is: Inapplicable, Counterparty is not a Multibranch Party.

 

  (b)

The Office of Dealer for the Transaction is: [____________][Inapplicable; Dealer is not a Multibranch Party]4

 

7.

Notices.

 

  (a)

Address for notices or communications to Counterparty:

 

  To:

Meritage Homes Corporation

18655 North Claret Drive, Suite 400

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Attention: [    ]

Telephone: [    ]

Email: [      ]

Attention: [    ]

Telephone: [     ]

Email: [      ]

 

  (b)

Address for notices or communications to Dealer:

[To:     [____________]

Attention:  [____________]

Telephone: [____________]

Email:    [____________]

With a copy to:

To:     [____________]

Attention:  [____________]

Telephone: [____________]

Email:    [____________]]5

 

8.

Representations and Warranties of Counterparty.

In addition to the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3(a) of the Agreement, Counterparty hereby represents and warrants to Dealer on the date hereof and on and as of the Premium Payment Date that: 

 

  (a)

Counterparty is not and, after consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will not be required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

  (b)

Counterparty is an “eligible contract participant” (as such term is defined in Section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, other than a person that is an eligible contract participant under Section 1a(18)(C) of the Commodity Exchange Act).

 

 

 

4 

Update as appropriate for Dealer.

5 

Insert Dealer’s information.

 

19


  (c)

Counterparty is not, on the date hereof, in possession of any material non-public information with respect to Counterparty or the Shares.

 

  (d)

To the knowledge of Counterparty, no state or local (including non-U.S. jurisdictions) law, rule, regulation or regulatory order applicable to the Shares would give rise to any reporting, consent, registration or other requirement (including without limitation a requirement to obtain prior approval from any person or entity) as a result of Dealer or its affiliates owning or holding (however defined) Shares; provided that Counterparty makes no representation or warranty regarding any such requirement that is applicable generally to the ownership of equity securities by Dealer or any of its affiliates solely as a result of it or any of such affiliates being financial institutions or broker-dealers.

 

  (e)

Ownership positions held by Dealer or any of its affiliates solely in its capacity as a nominee or fiduciary do not constitute Stock Ownership (as such term is defined in the Charter or By-Laws) by Dealer.

 

  (f)

Counterparty has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations in respect of the letter agreement (the “Waiver”) dated as of May 6, 2024 delivered by Counterparty to Dealer; such execution, delivery and performance have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on Counterparty’s part; and the Waiver has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Counterparty and constitutes its valid and binding obligation, enforceable against Counterparty in accordance with its terms.

 

  (g)

Neither the execution and delivery of the Waiver nor the incurrence or performance of obligations of Counterparty thereunder will conflict with or result in a breach of the Charter or By-Laws (or any equivalent documents) of Counterparty, or any applicable law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental authority or agency, or any agreement or instrument to which Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries is subject, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any lien under, any such agreement or instrument, or breach or constitute a default under any agreements and contracts of Counterparty or any of its significant subsidiaries filed as exhibits to Counterparty’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by any subsequent filings.

 

  (h)

Counterparty (A) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities; (B) will exercise independent judgment in evaluating the recommendations of any broker-dealer or its associated persons, unless it has otherwise notified the broker-dealer in writing; and (C) has total assets of at least USD 50 million.

 

  (i)

On and immediately after the Trade Date and the Premium Payment Date, (A) the value of the total assets of Counterparty is greater than the sum of the total liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of Counterparty, (B) the capital of Counterparty is adequate to conduct the business of Counterparty, and Counterparty’s entry into the Transaction will not impair its capital, (C) Counterparty has the ability to pay its indebtedness as such indebtedness becomes due in the usual course of business and does not intend to, or does not believe that it will, incur indebtedness beyond its ability to pay as such indebtedness becomes due in the usual course of business, (D) Counterparty will be able to continue as a going concern, (E) Counterparty is not “insolvent” (as such term is defined under Section 101(32) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) (the “Bankruptcy Code”)) and (F) Counterparty would be able to purchase the number of Shares with respect to the Transaction in compliance with the laws of the jurisdiction of Counterparty’s incorporation.

 

  (j)

The assets of Counterparty do not constitute “plan assets” under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Labor Regulations promulgated thereunder or similar law.

 

20


  (k)

[Counterparty has received, read and understands the OTC Options Risk Disclosure Statement and a copy of the most recent disclosure pamphlet prepared by The Options Clearing Corporation entitled “Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options”.]6

 

9.

Other Provisions.

 

  (a)

Opinions. Counterparty shall deliver to Dealer an opinion of counsel, dated as of the Premium Payment Date, with respect to the matters set forth in Section 3(a) of the Agreement and Sections 8(f) and 8(g) of this Confirmation, subject to customary assumptions, qualifications, and exceptions. Delivery of such opinion to Dealer shall be a condition precedent for the purpose of Section 2(a)(iii) of the Agreement with respect to each obligation of Dealer under Section 2(a)(i) of the Agreement.

 

  (b)

Repurchase Notices. Counterparty shall, no later than one Exchange Business Day following the day on which Counterparty effects any repurchase of Shares, give Dealer a written notice of such repurchase (a “Repurchase Notice”) if following such repurchase, the number of outstanding Shares as determined on such day is (i) less than [__]7 million (in the case of the first such notice) or (ii) thereafter more than [__]8 million less than the number of Shares included in the immediately preceding Repurchase Notice; provided that, with respect to any repurchase of Shares pursuant to a plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, Counterparty may elect to satisfy such requirement by promptly giving Dealer written notice of the entry into such plan, the maximum number of Shares that may be purchased thereunder and the approximate dates or periods during which such repurchases may occur (with such maximum number of Shares deemed repurchased on the date of such notice for purposes of this Section 9(b)), provided further, that Counterparty agrees (without, for the avoidance of doubt, affecting Counterparty’s obligations pursuant to this section as a result of a failure to deliver a Repurchase Notice) that it will not provide Dealer with any such notice if the information contained therein could otherwise constitute material nonpublic information, unless Counterparty first publicly discloses such information. Counterparty agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Dealer and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, advisors, agents and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all commercially reasonable losses (including losses relating to Dealer’s commercially reasonable hedging activities as a consequence of becoming, or of the risk of becoming, a Section 16 “insider”, including without limitation, any forbearance from hedging activities or cessation of hedging activities and any commercially reasonable losses in connection therewith with respect to the Transaction), claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and commercially reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), joint or several, which an Indemnified Person may become subject to under applicable securities laws, as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Dealer with a Repurchase Notice when and in the manner specified in this paragraph, and to reimburse, within 30 days, upon written request, each of such Indemnified Persons for any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for, providing testimony or other evidence in connection with or defending any of the foregoing. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against the Indemnified Person as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Dealer with a Repurchase Notice in accordance with this paragraph, such Indemnified Person shall, within a commercially reasonable period of time, notify Counterparty in writing, and Counterparty, upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others Counterparty may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding. Counterparty shall be relieved from liability to the extent that any Indemnified Person

 

6 

Include for applicable Dealers.

7 

Insert the number of Shares outstanding that would cause Dealer’s current position in the Shares underlying the Transaction (including the number of Shares underlying any additional transaction if the greenshoe is exercised in full) to increase by 0.5%. To be determined based on Dealer with highest Applicable Percentage.

8 

Insert the number of Shares that, if repurchased, would cause Dealer’s current position in the Shares underlying the Transaction (including the number of Shares underlying any additional transaction if the greenshoe is exercised in full) to increase by a further 0.5% from the threshold for the first Repurchase Notice. To be determined based on Dealer with highest Applicable Percentage.

 

21


  fails to notify Counterparty within a commercially reasonable period of time of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder to the extent Counterparty is materially prejudiced as a result thereof. Counterparty shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, Counterparty agrees to indemnify any Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Counterparty shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding on terms reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person. Counterparty shall not be liable for any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or expenses relating thereto) of any Indemnified Person that result from the bad faith, gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of such Indemnified Person. If the indemnification provided for in this paragraph is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then Counterparty hereunder, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities. The remedies provided for in this paragraph (b) are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this paragraph shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of the Transaction.

 

  (c)

Regulation M. Counterparty is not on the Trade Date engaged in a distribution, as such term is used in Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of any securities of Counterparty, other than a distribution meeting the requirements of the exception set forth in Rules 101(b)(10) and 102(b)(7) of Regulation M. Counterparty shall not, until the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date, engage in any such distribution.

 

  (d)

No Manipulation. Counterparty is not entering into the Transaction to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or otherwise in violation of the Exchange Act.

 

  (e)

Transfer or Assignment.

 

  (i)

Counterparty shall have the right to transfer or assign its rights and obligations hereunder with respect to all, but not less than all, of the Options hereunder (such Options, the “Transfer Options”); provided that such transfer or assignment shall be subject to reasonable conditions that Dealer may impose, including but not limited, to the following conditions:

 

  (A)

With respect to any Transfer Options, Counterparty shall not be released from its notice and indemnification obligations pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Confirmation or any obligations under Section 9(n) or 9(s) of this Confirmation;

 

  (B)

Any Transfer Options shall only be transferred or assigned to a third party that is a United States person (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”));

 

  (C)

Such transfer or assignment shall be effected on terms, including any reasonable undertakings by such third party (including, but not limited to, an undertaking with respect to compliance with applicable securities laws in a manner that, in the reasonable judgment of Dealer, will not expose Dealer to material risks under applicable securities laws) and execution of any documentation and delivery of legal opinions with respect to securities laws and other matters by such third party and Counterparty, as are reasonably requested by and reasonably satisfactory to Dealer;

 

22


  (D)

Dealer will not, as a result of such transfer and assignment, be required to pay the transferee on any payment date an amount under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Agreement greater than an amount that Dealer would have been required to pay to Counterparty in the absence of such transfer and assignment;

 

  (E)

No Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event will occur as a result of such transfer and assignment;

 

  (F)

Without limiting the generality of clause (B), Counterparty shall cause the transferee to make such Payee Tax Representations and to provide such tax documentation as may be reasonably requested by Dealer to permit Dealer to determine that results described in clauses (D) and (E) will not occur upon or after such transfer and assignment; and

 

  (G)

Counterparty shall be responsible for all reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred by Dealer in connection with such transfer or assignment.

 

  (ii)

Dealer may transfer or assign all or any part of its rights or obligations under the Transaction (A) without Counterparty’s consent, to any affiliate of Dealer (1) that has a long-term issuer rating that is equal to or better than Dealer’s credit rating at the time of such transfer or assignment, or (2) whose obligations hereunder will be guaranteed, pursuant to the terms of a customary guarantee in a form used by Dealer generally for similar transactions, by Dealer or Dealer’s ultimate parent or (B) with Counterparty’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) to any other recognized dealer in transactions of the same type as the Transaction with a long-term issuer rating equal to or better than the lesser of (1) the credit rating of Dealer at the time of the transfer or assignment and (2) A-by S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., or its successor (“S&P”), or A3 by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. or its successor (“Moodys”) or, if either S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate such debt, at least an equivalent rating or better by a substitute rating agency mutually agreed by Counterparty and Dealer; provided that Dealer may transfer or assign pursuant to this paragraph only if (A) either (i) the transferee is a “dealer in securities” within the meaning of Section 475(c)(1) of the Code, or (ii) the transfer or assignment does not otherwise constitute a “deemed exchange” by Counterparty within the meaning of Section 1001 of the Code, (B) Counterparty will not, as a result of any withholding or deduction made by the transferee or assignee as a result of any Tax, receive from the transferee or assignee on any payment date or delivery date (after accounting for amounts paid by the transferee or assignee under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Agreement as well as such withholding or deduction) an amount or a number of Shares, as applicable, lower than the amount or the number of Shares, as applicable, that Dealer would have been required to pay or deliver to Counterparty in the absence of such transfer or assignment, except to the extent resulting from a Change in Law occurring after the date of the transfer and/or assignment and (C) no Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event exists at such time or will occur as a result of such transfer and assignment. If at any time at which (A) the Section 16 Percentage exceeds 8.5%, (B) the Option Equity Percentage exceeds 14.5%, (C) the Charter Percentage exceeds 4.5% or (D) the Share Amount exceeds the Applicable Share Limit (if any applies) (any such condition described in clauses (A), (B) or (C), an “Excess Ownership Position”), Dealer is unable after using its commercially reasonable efforts to effect a transfer or assignment of Options to a third party on pricing terms reasonably acceptable to Dealer and within a time period

 

23


  reasonably acceptable to Dealer such that no Excess Ownership Position exists (after giving effect to such transfer or assignment and any resulting change in Dealer’s commercially reasonable Hedge Positions), then Dealer may designate any Exchange Business Day as an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction (the “Terminated Portion”), such that following such partial termination no Excess Ownership Position exists (after giving effect to such transfer or assignment and any resulting change in Dealer’s commercially reasonable Hedge Positions). In the event that Dealer so designates an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction, a payment shall be made pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (1) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the number of Options underlying the Terminated Portion, (2) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such partial termination and (3) the Terminated Portion were the sole Affected Transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Section 9(l) of this Confirmation shall apply to any amount that is payable by Dealer to Counterparty pursuant to this sentence as if Counterparty was not the Affected Party). The “Section 16 Percentage” as of any day is the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (A) the numerator of which is the number of Shares that Dealer and any of its affiliates or any other person subject to aggregation with Dealer for purposes of the “beneficial ownership” test under Section 13 of the Exchange Act, or any “group” (within the meaning of Section 13 of the Exchange Act) of which Dealer is or may be deemed to be a part beneficially owns (within the meaning of Section 13 of the Exchange Act), without duplication, on such day (or, to the extent that for any reason the equivalent calculation under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder results in a higher number, such higher number) and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding on such day. The “Option Equity Percentage” as of any day is the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (A) the numerator of which is the sum of (1) the product of the Number of Options and the Option Entitlement and (2) the aggregate number of Shares underlying any other call option transaction sold by Dealer to Counterparty, and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding. The “Charter Percentage” as of any day is equal to Dealer’s Stock Ownership of Stock (as such terms are defined in the Charter and By-Laws). The “Share Amount” as of any day is the number of Shares that Dealer and any person whose ownership position would be aggregated with that of Dealer (Dealer or any such person, a “Dealer Person”) under any law, rule, regulation, regulatory order or organizational documents or contracts of Counterparty that are, in each case, applicable to ownership of Shares (“Applicable Restrictions”), owns, beneficially owns, constructively owns, controls, holds the power to vote or otherwise meets a relevant definition of ownership under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion. The “Applicable Share Limit” means a number of Shares equal to (A) the minimum number of Shares that, in Dealer’s reasonable judgment based on advice of counsel, could give rise to reporting or registration obligations (except for filings on Form 13F, Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G, in each case, as in effect on the Trade Date) or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval from any person or entity) of a Dealer Person, or could result in an adverse effect on a Dealer Person, under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion, minus (B) 1% of the number of Shares outstanding. Dealer shall provide Counterparty with written notice of any transfer or assignment on the date of or as promptly as practicable after the date of such transfer or assignment.

 

  (iii)

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Confirmation to the contrary requiring or allowing Dealer to purchase, sell, receive or deliver any Shares or other securities, or make or receive any payment in cash, to or from Counterparty, Dealer may designate any of its affiliates to purchase, sell, receive or deliver such Shares or other securities, or to make or receive such payment in cash, and otherwise to perform Dealer’s obligations in respect of the Transaction and any such designee may assume such obligations. Dealer shall be discharged of its obligations to Counterparty to the extent of any such performance.

 

24


  (f)

Staggered Settlement. If upon advice of counsel with respect to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including any requirements relating to Dealer’s commercially reasonable hedging activities hereunder, Dealer reasonably determines, based on the advice of counsel, that it would not be practicable or advisable to deliver, or to acquire Shares to deliver, any or all of the Shares to be delivered by Dealer on any Settlement Date for the Transaction, Dealer may, by notice to Counterparty on or prior to any Settlement Date (a “Nominal Settlement Date”), elect to deliver the Shares on two or more dates (each, a “Staggered Settlement Date”) as follows:

 

  (i)

in such notice, Dealer will specify to Counterparty the related Staggered Settlement Dates (the first of which will be such Nominal Settlement Date and the last of which will be no later than the twentieth (20th) Exchange Business Day following such Nominal Settlement Date) and the number of Shares that it will deliver on each Staggered Settlement Date;

 

  (ii)

the aggregate number of Shares that Dealer will deliver to Counterparty hereunder on all such Staggered Settlement Dates will equal the number of Shares that Dealer would otherwise be required to deliver on such Nominal Settlement Date; and

 

  (iii)

if the Net Share Settlement terms or the Combination Settlement terms set forth above were to apply on the Nominal Settlement Date, then the Net Share Settlement terms or the Combination Settlement terms, as the case may be, will apply on each Staggered Settlement Date, except that the Shares otherwise deliverable on such Nominal Settlement Date will be allocated among such Staggered Settlement Dates as specified by Dealer in the notice referred to in clause (i) above.

 

  (g)

Dividends. If at any time during the period from and including the Effective Date, to but excluding the Expiration Date, (i) an ex-dividend date for a regular quarterly cash dividend occurs with respect to the Shares (an “Ex-Dividend Date”), and that dividend is less than the Regular Dividend on a per Share basis or (ii) no Ex-Dividend Date for a regular quarterly cash dividend occurs with respect to the Shares in any quarterly dividend period of Counterparty, then the Calculation Agent will adjust the Cap Price to preserve the fair value of the Options to Dealer after taking into account such dividend or lack thereof. “Regular Dividend” shall mean USD 0.75 per Share per quarter. Upon any adjustment to the “Initial Dividend Threshold” (as defined in the Indenture) for the Convertible Notes pursuant to the Indenture, the Calculation Agent will make a corresponding adjustment to the Regular Dividend for the Transaction.

 

  (h)

[Conduct Rules. Each party acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority applicable to transactions in options, and further agrees not to violate the position and exercise limits set forth therein.]9[Reserved.]

 

  (i)

Additional Termination Events.

 

  (i)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, upon any Early Conversion in respect of which a “Notice of Conversion” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) that is effective as to Counterparty has been delivered by the relevant converting “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture):

 

  (A)

Counterparty shall, within five Scheduled Trading Days of the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion, provide written notice (an “Early Conversion Notice”) to Dealer specifying the number of Convertible Notes surrendered for conversion on such Conversion Date (such Convertible Notes, the “Affected Convertible Notes”); provided that, any “Early Conversion Notice” delivered to Dealer pursuant to the Base Call Option Confirmation shall deemed to be an Early Conversion Notice pursuant to this Confirmation and the terms of such Early Conversion Notice shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Confirmation;

 

9 

Include for applicable Dealers.

 

25


  (B)

upon receipt of any such Early Conversion Notice, Dealer shall designate an Exchange Business Day as an Early Termination Date (which Exchange Business Day shall be on or as promptly as reasonably practicable after the related settlement date for the conversion of such Affected Convertible Notes) with respect to the portion of the Transaction corresponding to a number of Options (the “Affected Number of Options”) equal to the lesser of (x) the number of Affected Convertible Notes minus the “Affected Number of Options” (as defined in the Base Call Option Confirmation), if any, that relate to such Affected Convertible Notes (and for the purposes of determining whether any Options under this Confirmation or under the Base Call Option Confirmation will be among the Affected Number of Options hereunder or under, and as defined in, the Base Call Option Confirmation, the Affected Convertible Notes specified in such Early Conversion Notice shall be allocated first to the Base Call Option Confirmation until all Options thereunder are exercised or terminated) and (y) the Number of Options as of the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion;

 

  (C)

any payment hereunder with respect to such termination shall be calculated pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (x) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the Affected Number of Options, (y) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such Additional Termination Event and (z) the terminated portion of the Transaction were the sole Affected Transaction; provided that the amount payable with respect to such termination shall not be greater than (1) the Applicable Percentage, multiplied by (2) the Affected Number of Options, multiplied by (3) (x) the sum of (i) the amount of cash paid to the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of an Affected Convertible Note upon conversion of such Affected Convertible Note and (ii) the number of Shares delivered (if any) to the “Holder” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of an Affected Convertible Note upon conversion of such Affected Convertible Note, multiplied by the Applicable Limit Price on the settlement date for the conversion of such Affected Convertible Note, minus (y) the Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Price per Convertible Note, as determined by the Calculation Agent in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. “Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Price per Convertible Note” shall mean the amount determined by the Calculation Agent utilizing the numbers in the table set forth below (the “Synthetic Instrument AIP Table”) based on the date of payment of the amount due with respect to the relevant Affected Number of Options (the “Affected Unwind Date”). If the relevant Affected Unwind Date is not listed in the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table, the amount in the preceding sentence shall be determined by the Calculation Agent by reference to the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table using a linear interpolation between the lower and higher Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Prices per Convertible Note for the Affected Unwind Dates immediately preceding and immediately following the relevant Affected Unwind Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to Section 9(l) of this Confirmation;

 

26


Affected Unwind Date

   Synthetic Instrument Adjusted
Issue Price per Convertible Note
 

May 9, 2024

     USD [_______]  

November 15, 2024

     USD [_______]  

May 15, 2025

     USD [_______]  

November 15, 2025

     USD [_______]  

May 15, 2026

     USD [_______]  

November 15, 2026

     USD [_______]  

May 15, 2027

     USD [_______]  

November 15, 2027

     USD [_______]  

May 15, 2028

     USD 1,000.00  

 

  (D)

for the avoidance of doubt, in determining the amount payable in respect of such Affected Transaction pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement, the Calculation Agent shall assume that (x) the relevant Early Conversion and any conversions, adjustments, agreements, payments, deliveries or acquisitions by or on behalf of Counterparty leading thereto had not occurred, (y) no adjustments to the “Conversion Rate” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) have occurred pursuant to any Excluded Provision and (z) the corresponding Convertible Notes remain outstanding; and

 

  (E)

the Transaction shall remain in full force and effect, except that, as of the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion, the Number of Options shall be reduced by the Affected Number of Options.

 

  (ii)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, if an event of default with respect to Counterparty occurs under the terms of the Convertible Notes as set forth in Section 6.01 of the Indenture and the Convertible Notes are declared due and payable as a result thereof, then such event of default shall constitute an Additional Termination Event applicable to the Transaction and, with respect to such Additional Termination Event, (A) Counterparty shall be deemed to be the sole Affected Party, (B) the Transaction shall be the sole Affected Transaction and (C) Dealer shall be the party entitled to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Agreement.

 

  (iii)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, the occurrence of an Amendment Event shall constitute an Additional Termination Event applicable to the Transaction and, with respect to such Additional Termination Event, (A) Counterparty shall be deemed to be the sole Affected Party, (B) the Transaction shall be the sole Affected Transaction and (C) Dealer shall be the party entitled to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Agreement. “Amendment Event” means that Counterparty amends, modifies, supplements, waives or obtains a waiver in respect of any term of the Indenture or the Convertible Notes governing the principal amount, coupon, maturity, repurchase obligation of Counterparty, any term relating to conversion of the Convertible Notes (including changes to the conversion rate, conversion rate adjustment provisions, conversion settlement dates or conversion conditions), or any term that would require consent of the “Holders” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of not less than 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to amend (other than, in each case, any amendment or supplement (x) pursuant to Section 10.01(h) of the Indenture that, as determined by the Calculation Agent, conforms the Indenture to the description of Convertible Notes in the Offering Memorandum or (y) pursuant to Section 14.07 of the Indenture), in each case, without the consent of Dealer.

 

  (iv)

Within five Scheduled Trading Days following any Repayment Event (as defined below), Counterparty (i) shall (solely to the extent that such Repayment Event results directly from a “Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture)), and (ii) otherwise may, but shall not be obligated to, notify Dealer of such Repayment Event and the aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes subject to such Repayment Event (any such notice, a “Repayment Notice”); provided that in the case of clause (ii) only, such

 

27


  Repayment Notice shall contain the representation and warranty that Counterparty is not, on the date thereof, aware of any material non-public information with respect to Counterparty or the Shares; provided, further, that any “Repayment Notice” delivered to Dealer pursuant to the Base Call Option Confirmation shall deemed to be a Repayment Notice pursuant to this Confirmation and the terms of such Repayment Notice shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Confirmation. The receipt by Dealer from Counterparty of any Repayment Notice, within the applicable time period set forth in the preceding sentence, shall constitute an Additional Termination Event as provided in this paragraph, it being understood that no Repayment Event shall constitute an Additional Termination Event hereunder unless Dealer has so received such Repayment Notice. Upon receipt of any such Repayment Notice, Dealer shall designate an Exchange Business Day following receipt of such Repayment Notice (which in no event shall be earlier than the date on which the relevant Repayment Event occurs or is consummated) as an Early Termination Date with respect to the portion of the Transaction corresponding to a number of Options (the “Repayment Options”) equal to the lesser of (A) (x) the aggregate principal amount of such Convertible Notes specified in such Repayment Notice, divided by USD 1,000, minus (y) the number of “Repayment Options” (as defined in the Base Call Option Confirmation), if any, that relate to such Convertible Notes (and for the purposes of determining whether any Options under this Confirmation or under the Base Call Option Confirmation will be among the Repayment Options hereunder or under, and as defined in, the Base Call Option Confirmation, the Convertible Notes specified in such Repayment Notice shall be allocated first to the Base Call Option Confirmation until all Options thereunder are exercised or terminated), and (B) the Number of Options as of the date Dealer designates such Early Termination Date and, as of such date, the Number of Options shall be reduced by the number of Repayment Options. Any payment hereunder with respect to such termination (the “Repayment Unwind Payment”) shall be calculated pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (1) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the number of Repayment Options, (2) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such Additional Termination Event and (3) the terminated portion of the Transaction were the sole Affected Transaction; provided that, in the event of a Repayment Event resulting from a “Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture), the Repayment Unwind Payment shall not be greater than (x) the number of Repayment Options multiplied by (y) the product of (A) the Applicable Percentage and (B) (x) the amount paid by Counterparty per Convertible Note in connection with the relevant Repayment Event pursuant to the relevant sections of the Indenture minus (y) the Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Price per Convertible Note, as determined by the Calculation Agent in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner by reference to the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table based on the relevant Affected Unwind Date based on the date of payment of the relevant amount (the “Repayment Date”) as if such Repayment Date were the Affected Unwind Date. If the relevant Repayment Date is not listed in the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table, the amount in the preceding sentence shall be determined by the Calculation Agent by reference to the Synthetic Instrument AIP Table using a linear interpolation between the lower and higher Synthetic Instrument Adjusted Issue Prices per Convertible Note for the Affected Unwind Dates immediately preceding and immediately following the relevant Repayment Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to Section 9(l) of the Confirmation. For the avoidance of doubt, solely for purposes of calculating the amount payable pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, Dealer shall assume that the relevant Repayment Event (and, if applicable, the related “Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) and the announcement of such “Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture)) had not occurred. “Repayment Event” means that (i) any Convertible Notes are repurchased and cancelled in accordance with the Indenture (whether in connection with or as a result of a “Fundamental Change” (as such term is

 

28


  defined in the Indenture) or for any other reason) by Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any Convertible Notes are delivered to Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries in exchange for delivery of any property or assets of such party (howsoever described), (iii) any principal of any of the Convertible Notes is repaid prior to the final maturity date of the Convertible Notes (for any reason other than as a result of an acceleration of the Convertible Notes that results in an Additional Termination Event pursuant to the preceding Section 9(i)(ii)), or (iv) any Convertible Notes are exchanged by or for the benefit of the holders thereof for any other securities of Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries (or any other property, or any combination thereof) pursuant to any exchange offer or similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, any conversion of Convertible Notes (whether into cash, Shares, reference property or any combination thereof) pursuant to the terms of the Indenture shall not constitute a Repayment Event. In addition, Counterparty acknowledges, based on advice of outside counsel, its responsibilities under applicable securities laws, including, in particular, Sections 9 and 10(b) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder in respect of the Repayment Event, including, without limitation, the delivery of a Repayment Notice hereunder.

 

  (v)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, if a Repurchase Event in respect of Convertible Notes occurs but an Additional Termination Event does not occur in respect of such Repurchase Event under Section 9(i)(iv), then for all purposes hereunder, the Indenture and such Convertible Notes shall be deemed to remain outstanding regardless of whether such Convertible Notes are actually outstanding following such Repurchase Event.

 

  (j)

Amendments to Equity Definitions; Agreement.

 

  (i)

Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the words “that may have a diluting or concentrative effect on the theoretical value of the relevant Shares” and replacing them with the words “that is the result of a corporate event involving the Issuer or its securities that has, in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Calculation Agent, a material economic effect on the Shares or the Options.”

 

  (ii)

Section 12.9(b)(i) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (1) replacing “either party may elect” with “Dealer may elect” and (2) replacing “notice to the other party” with “notice to Counterparty” in the first sentence of such section.

 

  (iii)

Section 12(a) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase “or email” in the third line thereof and (2) deleting the phrase “or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day” in the final clause thereof.

 

  (k)

No Setoff. Notwithstanding any provision of the Agreement and this Confirmation (including without limitation this Section 9(k)) or any other agreement between the parties to the contrary, each party waives any and all rights it may have to set off obligations arising under the Agreement and the Transaction against other obligations between the parties, whether arising under any other agreement, applicable law or otherwise.

 

  (l)

Alternative Calculations and Payment on Early Termination and on Certain Extraordinary Events. If (a) an Early Termination Date (whether as a result of an Event of Default or a Termination Event) occurs or is designated with respect to the Transaction or (b) the Transaction is cancelled or terminated upon the occurrence of an Extraordinary Event (except as a result of (i) a Nationalization, Insolvency or Merger Event in which the consideration to be paid to all holders of Shares consists solely of cash, (ii) an Announcement Event, Merger Event or Tender Offer that is within Counterparty’s control, or (iii) an Event of Default in which Counterparty is the Defaulting Party or a Termination Event in which Counterparty is the sole Affected Party other than an Event of Default of the type described in Section 5(a)(iii), (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii) of the Agreement or a Termination

 

29


  Event of the type described in Section 5(b) of the Agreement, in each case that resulted from an event or events outside Counterparty’s control), and if Dealer would owe any amount to Counterparty pursuant to Section 6(d)(ii) of the Agreement or any Cancellation Amount pursuant to Article 12 of the Equity Definitions (any such amount, a “Payment Obligation”), then Dealer shall satisfy the Payment Obligation by the Share Termination Alternative (as defined below), unless (a) Counterparty gives irrevocable telephonic notice to Dealer, confirmed in writing within one Scheduled Trading Day, no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of the Announcement Event, Merger Date, Tender Offer Date, Announcement Date (in the case of a Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting), Early Termination Date or date of cancellation, as applicable, of its election that the Share Termination Alternative shall not apply, (b) Counterparty remakes the representation set forth in Section 8(c) of this Confirmation as of the date of such election and (c) Dealer agrees, in its commercially reasonable discretion, to such election, in which case the provisions of Section 12.7 or Section 12.9 of the Equity Definitions, or the provisions of Section 6(d)(ii) of the Agreement, as the case may be, shall apply.

 

      

Share Termination Alternative:

   If applicable, Dealer shall deliver to Counterparty the Share Termination Delivery Property on, or within a commercially reasonable period of time after, the date when the relevant Payment Obligation would otherwise be due pursuant to Section 12.7 or 12.9 of the Equity Definitions or Section 6(d)(ii) and 6(e) of the Agreement, as applicable, in satisfaction of such Payment Obligation in the manner reasonably requested by Counterparty free of payment.
 

Share Termination Delivery Property:

   A number of Share Termination Delivery Units, as calculated by the Calculation Agent, equal to the Payment Obligation divided by the Share Termination Unit Price. The Calculation Agent shall adjust the Share Termination Delivery Property by replacing any fractional portion of a security therein with an amount of cash equal to the value of such fractional security based on the values used to calculate the Share Termination Unit Price.
 

Share Termination Delivery Unit:

   One Share or, if the Shares have changed into cash or any other property or the right to receive cash or any other property as the result of a Nationalization, Insolvency or Merger Event (any such cash or other property, the “Exchange Property”), a unit consisting of the type and amount of such Exchange Property received by a holder of one Share (without consideration of any requirement to pay cash or other consideration in lieu of fractional amounts of any securities) in such Nationalization, Insolvency or Merger Event, as determined by the Calculation Agent.
 

Share Termination Unit Price:

   The value to Dealer of property contained in one Share Termination Delivery Unit, as determined by the Calculation Agent in its discretion by commercially reasonable means and notified by the Calculation Agent to Dealer at the time of notification of the Payment Obligation. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that in determining the Share

 

30


          Termination Delivery Unit Price the Calculation Agent may consider the purchase price paid in connection with the purchase of Share Termination Delivery Property that was purchased in connection with the delivery of the Share Termination Delivery Units.
 

Failure to Deliver:

   Applicable
 

Other applicable provisions:

   If Share Termination Alternative is applicable, the provisions of Sections 9.8, 9.9 and 9.11 (as modified above) of the Equity Definitions and the provisions set forth opposite the caption “Representation and Agreement” in Section 2 of this Confirmation will be applicable, except that all references in such provisions to “Physically-settled” shall be read as references to “Share Termination Settled” and all references to “Shares” shall be read as references to “Share Termination Delivery Units”. “Share Termination Settled” in relation to the Transaction means that Share Termination Alternative is applicable to the Transaction.

 

  (m)

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION. EACH PARTY (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF EITHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF SUCH A SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTY HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THE TRANSACTION, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS PROVIDED HEREIN.

 

  (n)

Registration. Counterparty hereby agrees that if, in the good faith reasonable judgment of Dealer, based on the advice of counsel, the Shares acquired and held by Dealer for the purpose of effecting a commercially reasonable hedge of its obligations pursuant to the Transaction (“Hedge Shares”) cannot be sold in the public market by Dealer without registration under the Securities Act (other than any such Hedge Shares that were, at the time of acquisition by Dealer, “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act)), Counterparty shall, at its election, either (i) in order to allow Dealer to sell the Hedge Shares in a registered offering, make available to Dealer an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and enter into an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Dealer, substantially in the form of an underwriting agreement for a registered secondary offering of substantially similar size and in a similar industry; provided, however, that if Dealer, in its sole reasonable discretion, is not satisfied with access to due diligence materials, the results of its due diligence investigation, or the procedures and documentation for the registered offering referred to above, then clause (ii) or clause (iii) of this paragraph shall apply at the election of Counterparty, (ii) in order to allow Dealer to sell the Hedge Shares in a private placement, enter into a private placement agreement substantially similar to private placement purchase agreements customary for private placements of equity securities of similar size and industry, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Dealer (in which case, the Calculation Agent shall make any adjustments to the terms of the Transaction that are necessary, in its reasonable judgment, to compensate Dealer for any commercially reasonable discount from the public market price of the Shares incurred on the sale of Hedge Shares in a private placement), or (iii) purchase the Hedge Shares from Dealer at the then-current market price on such Exchange Business Days, and in the amounts and at such time(s), requested by Dealer.

 

31


  (o)

Tax Disclosure. Effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning the Transaction, Counterparty and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transaction and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to Counterparty relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.

 

  (p)

Right to Extend. Dealer may postpone or add, in whole or in part, any Valid Day or Valid Days during the Settlement Averaging Period or any other date of valuation, payment or delivery by Dealer, with respect to some or all of the Options hereunder, to the extent Dealer reasonably determines (and in the case of clause (ii) below, based on the advice of counsel), that such action is reasonably necessary or appropriate (i) to preserve Dealer’s commercially reasonable hedging or hedge unwind activity hereunder in light of existing liquidity conditions (but only if there is a material decrease in liquidity relative to Dealer’s expectations on the Trade Date) or (ii) to enable Dealer to effect purchases or sales of Shares in connection with its commercially reasonable hedging, hedge unwind or settlement activity hereunder in a manner that would, if Dealer were Counterparty or an affiliated purchaser of Counterparty, be in compliance with applicable legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements, or with related policies and procedures applicable to Dealer (so long as such policies or procedures are consistently applied to transactions similar to the Transaction); provided that no such Valid Day or other date of valuation, payment or delivery may be postponed or added more than 60 Valid Days after the original Valid Day or other date of valuation, payment or delivery, as the case may be.

 

  (q)

Status of Claims in Bankruptcy. Dealer acknowledges and agrees that this Confirmation is not intended to convey to Dealer rights against Counterparty with respect to the Transaction that are senior to the claims of common stockholders of Counterparty in any United States bankruptcy proceedings of Counterparty; provided that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealer’s right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Counterparty of its obligations and agreements with respect to the Transaction; provided further that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealer’s rights in respect of any transactions other than the Transaction.

 

  (r)

Securities Contract; Swap Agreement. The parties hereto intend for (i) the Transaction to be a “securities contract” and a “swap agreement” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code, and the parties hereto to be entitled to the protections afforded by, among other Sections, Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(17), 546(e), 546(g), 555 and 560 of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) a party’s right to liquidate the Transaction and to exercise any other remedies upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under the Agreement with respect to the other party to constitute a “contractual right” as described in the Bankruptcy Code, and (iii) each payment and delivery of cash, securities or other property hereunder to constitute a “margin payment” or “settlement payment” and a “transfer” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code.

 

  (s)

Notice of Certain Other Events. Counterparty covenants and agrees that:

 

  (i)

promptly following the public announcement of the results of any election by the holders of Shares with respect to the consideration due upon consummation of any Merger Event, Counterparty shall give Dealer written notice of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by holders of Shares pursuant to such Merger Event (the date of such notification, the “Consideration Notification Date”); provided that in no event shall the Consideration Notification Date be later than the date on which such Merger Event is consummated; and

 

  (ii)

(A) Counterparty shall give Dealer commercially reasonable advance (but in no event less than one Exchange Business Day) written notice of the section or sections of the Indenture and, if applicable, the formula therein, pursuant to which any adjustment will be made to the Convertible Notes in connection with any Potential Adjustment Event, Merger Event or Tender Offer and (B) promptly following any such adjustment, Counterparty shall give Dealer written notice of the details of such adjustment.

 

32


  (t)

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 the WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, shall limit or otherwise impair either party’s 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, but not limited to, rights arising from Change in Law, Hedging Disruption, an Excess Ownership Position, or Illegality (as defined in the Agreement)).

 

  (u)

Agreements and Acknowledgements Regarding Hedging. Counterparty understands, acknowledges and agrees that: (A) at any time on and prior to the Expiration Date, Dealer 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 adjust its hedge position with respect to the Transaction; (B) Dealer and its affiliates also may be active in the market for Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to the Transaction; (C) Dealer shall make its own determination as to whether, when or in what manner any hedging or market activities in securities of Issuer shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price and market risk with respect to the Relevant Prices; and (D) any market activities of Dealer and its affiliates with respect to Shares may affect the market price and volatility of Shares, as well as the Relevant Prices, each in a manner that may be adverse to Counterparty.

 

  (v)

Early Unwind. In the event the sale of the “Option Notes” (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) is not consummated with the Initial Purchaser for any reason, or Counterparty fails to deliver to Dealer opinions of counsel as required pursuant to Section 9(a) of this Confirmation, in each case by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Premium Payment Date, or such later date as agreed upon by the parties (the Premium Payment Date or such later date, the “Early Unwind Date”), the Transaction shall automatically terminate (the “Early Unwind”) on the Early Unwind Date and (i) the Transaction and all of the respective rights and obligations of Dealer and Counterparty under the Transaction shall be cancelled and terminated and any Premium shall be returned to Counterparty less any reasonable costs of Dealer and (ii) each party shall be released and discharged by the other party from and agrees not to make any claim against the other party with respect to any obligations or liabilities of the other party arising out of and to be performed in connection with the Transaction either prior to or after the Early Unwind Date. Each of Dealer and Counterparty represents and acknowledges to the other that upon an Early Unwind, all obligations with respect to the Transaction shall be deemed fully and finally discharged.

 

  (w)

Tax Matters.

(i) Withholding Tax imposed on payments to non-U.S. counterparties under the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance provisions of the HIRE Act. The parties hereto agree that for the Transaction the terms “Tax” and “Indemnifiable Tax” as defined in Section 13 of the Agreement, shall not include any Tax imposed pursuant to Section 1471 or 1472 of the Code, as amended, any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code, or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code (a “FATCA Withholding Tax”). For the avoidance of doubt, a FATCA Withholding Tax is a Tax the deduction or withholding of which is required by applicable law for the purposes of Section 2(d)(i) of the Agreement.

 

33


(ii) Tax Documentation. For purposes of Section 4(a)(i) and (ii) of the Agreement, (i) Counterparty agrees to deliver to Dealer one duly executed and completed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or successor thereto) and (ii) Dealer agrees to deliver to Counterparty [one duly executed and completed applicable Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or successor thereto)]10, in each case, (A) on or before the date of execution of this Confirmation and (B) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided by it has become obsolete or incorrect. Additionally, each party shall, promptly upon request by the other party, provide such other tax forms and documents as reasonably requested by the other party.

(iii) Payee Tax Representations. Counterparty is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is organized under the laws of the State of Maryland. Counterparty is a “U.S. person” (as that term is used in section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of United States Treasury Regulations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and an exempt recipient under Treasury Regulation Section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii). [Dealer is a “U.S. person” (as that term is used in section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of United States Treasury Regulations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and an exempt recipient under Treasury Regulation Section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii).]11 Each party agrees to give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under this Section 9(w)(iii) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

(iv) Section 871(m). The parties hereto agree that for the Transaction the terms “Tax” and “Indemnifiable Tax” as defined in Section 14 of the Agreement shall not include any tax imposed on payments treated as dividends from sources within the United States under Section 871(m) of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder.

 

  (x)

Payment by Counterparty. In the event that, following payment of the Premium, (i) an Early Termination Date occurs or is designated with respect to the Transaction as a result of a Termination Event or an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default arising under Section 5(a)(ii) or 5(a)(iv) of the Agreement) and, as a result, Counterparty owes to Dealer an amount calculated under Section 6(e) of the Agreement, or (ii) Counterparty owes to Dealer, pursuant to Section 12.7 or Section 12.9 of the Equity Definitions, an amount calculated under Section 12.8 of the Equity Definitions, such amount shall be deemed to be zero.

 

  (y)

Other Adjustments Pursuant to the Equity Definitions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the Equity Definitions or this Confirmation, upon the occurrence of a Merger Date, the occurrence of a Tender Offer Date, or declaration by Counterparty of the terms of any Potential Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent shall determine in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner whether such occurrence or declaration, as applicable, has had a material economic effect on the Transaction, and if so, shall, in its good faith and commercially reasonable discretion, adjust the Cap Price to account for the economic effect on the Transaction of such occurrence or declaration (provided that in no event shall the Cap Price be less than the Strike Price; and provided further that any adjustment to the Cap Price made pursuant to this section shall be made without duplication of any other adjustment hereunder). Solely for purposes of this Section 9(y): (x) the terms “Potential Adjustment Event,” “Merger Event,” and “Tender Offer” shall each have the meanings assigned to each such term in the Equity Definitions (in the case of the definition of “Potential Adjustment Event”, as amended by Section 9(j)(i) of this Confirmation, and in the case of the definition of “Tender Offer”, as amended by the provisions opposite the caption “Announcement Event” in Section 3 of this Confirmation) and (y) “Extraordinary Dividend” means any cash dividend on the Shares other than a regular, quarterly cash dividend in an amount per Share that is less than or equal to the Regular Dividend. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, the entry into (x) open market Share repurchases at prevailing market price and (y) Share repurchases through a dealer pursuant to accelerated share repurchases, forward contracts or similar transactions (including, without limitation, any discount to average VWAP prices) that are

 

10 

To be updated as appropriate for Dealer.

11 

To be updated as appropriate for Dealer.

 

34


  entered into at prevailing market prices and in accordance with customary market terms for transactions of such type to repurchase the Shares shall only constitute a Potential Adjustment Event to the extent that, after giving effect to such transaction, the aggregate number of Shares repurchased during the term of the Transaction pursuant to all such transactions described in the immediately preceding proviso would exceed 15% of the number of Shares outstanding as of the Trade Date (as adjusted for any subdivision or combination of the Shares), as determined by the Calculation Agent. Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions will be amended by replacing the phrase “greater than 10% and less than 100% of the outstanding voting shares of the Issuer” in the third and fourth line thereof with “greater than 20% and less than 100% of the outstanding Shares”.

 

  (z)

CARES Act. Counterparty acknowledges that the Transaction may constitute a purchase of its equity securities or a capital distribution. Counterparty further acknowledges that, pursuant to the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), Counterparty will be required to agree to certain time-bound restrictions on its ability to purchase its equity securities or make capital distributions if it receives loans, loan guarantees or direct loans (as that term is defined in the CARES Act) under section 4003(b) of the CARES Act. Counterparty further acknowledges that it may be required to agree to certain time-bound restrictions on its ability to purchase its equity securities or make capital distributions if it receives loans, loan guarantees or direct loans (as that term is defined in the CARES Act) under programs or facilities established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. Department of Treasury or similar governmental entity for the purpose of providing liquidity to the financial system. Accordingly, Counterparty represents and warrants that neither it, nor any of its subsidiaries have applied, and have no present intention to apply, for a loan, loan guarantee, direct loan (as that term is defined in the CARES Act) or other investment, or to receive any financial assistance or relief (howsoever defined) under any program or facility that (a) is established under applicable law (whether in existence as of the Trade Date or subsequently enacted, adopted or amended), including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (b) requires under applicable law (or any regulation, guidance, interpretation or other pronouncement thereunder), as a condition of such loan, loan guarantee, direct loan (as that term is defined in the CARES Act), investment, financial assistance or relief, that Counterparty comply with any requirement to, or otherwise agree, attest, certify or warrant that it has not, as of the date specified in such condition, repurchased, or will not repurchase, any equity security of Counterparty; provided that Counterparty may apply for any such governmental assistance if Counterparty determines based on the advice of nationally recognized outside counsel that the terms of the Transaction would not cause Counterparty to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of such governmental assistance based on the terms of the relevant program or facility as of the date of such advice. Counterparty further represents and warrants that the Premium is not being paid, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with funds received under or pursuant to any program or facility, including the U.S. Small Business Administration’s “Paycheck Protection Program”, that (a) is established under applicable law, including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (b) requires under such applicable law (or any regulation, guidance, interpretation or other pronouncement of a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility) that such funds be used for specified or enumerated purposes that do not include the purchase of this Transaction (either by specific reference to this Transaction or by general reference to transactions with the attributes of this Transaction in all relevant respects).

 

  (aa)

[Insert Dealer agency boilerplate, if applicable.]

 

  (bb)

[Insert preferred form of US QFC Stay Rule language for each Dealer, as applicable.]

 

  (cc)

[Insert additional Dealer boilerplate, if applicable.]

 

35


[Signature Pages Follow]

 

36


Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of the agreement between Dealer and Counterparty with respect to the Transaction, by signing this Confirmation or this page hereof as evidence of agreement to such terms and providing the other information requested herein and returning an executed copy to Dealer.

 

Very truly yours,
[Dealer]12
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

12 

Include Dealer preferred signature page information, as applicable.

 

[Signature Page to the Additional Capped Call Confirmation]


Accepted and confirmed as of the Trade Date:

 

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to the Additional Capped Call Confirmation]

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Meritage Homes Completes Offering of 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 9, 2024— Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH, “Meritage” or the “Company”), the fifth-largest homebuilder in the U.S., today announced that it has completed its offering and sale of $575 million aggregate principal amount of 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028. This amount includes the exercise in full by the initial purchasers of their option to purchase up to an additional $75 million aggregate principal amount of notes.

The offering was made to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The offer and sale of the notes, the related guarantees and any shares of Meritage’s common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes have not been and are not expected to be registered under the Securities Act, or under any state securities laws, and, unless so registered, the notes, the related guarantees and such shares may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or on a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

About Meritage Homes Corporation

Meritage is the fifth-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on homes closed in 2023. The Company offers energy-efficient and affordable entry-level and first move-up homes. Operations span across Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Meritage has delivered over 180,000 homes in its 38-year history, and has a reputation for its distinctive style, quality construction, and award-winning customer experience. The Company is an industry leader in energy-efficient homebuilding, an eleven-time recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award, a ten-time recipient of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Residential New Construction Market Leader Award, and a three-time recipient of the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS Leader Award.

 

Contacts:    Emily Tadano, VP Investor Relations and ESG
   (480) 515-8979 (office)
   investors@meritagehomes.com
v3.24.1.u1
Document and Entity Information
May 06, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Entity Registrant Name Meritage Homes CORP
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0000833079
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date May 06, 2024
Entity Incorporation State Country Code MD
Entity File Number 1-9977
Entity Tax Identification Number 86-0611231
Entity Address, Address Line One 18655 North Claret Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 400
Entity Address, City or Town Scottsdale
Entity Address, State or Province AZ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 85255
City Area Code (480)
Local Phone Number 515-8100
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Security 12b Title Common Stock $.01 par value
Trading Symbol MTH
Security Exchange Name NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company false

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