TANDY LEATHER FACTORY, INC.

 

 

and

 

 

BROADRIDGE CORPORATE ISSUER SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

 

as Rights Agent

 

 

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

 

Dated as of June 6, 2013

 

 

 

LIST OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A                 -      Form of Certificate of Designations

Exhibit B                 -      Form of Right Certificate

Exhibit C                 -      Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares

 

 

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

RIGHTS AGREEMENT , dated as of June 6, 2013 (this “ Agreement ”) between Tandy Leather Factory, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., as rights agent (the “ Rights Agent ”).

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “ Right ”) for each Common Share (as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding as of the Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on June 16, 2013 (the “ Record Date ”), each Right representing the right to purchase one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (as hereinafter defined), upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and has further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right with respect to each Common Share that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined); provided, however , that Rights may be issued with respect to Common Shares that shall become outstanding after the Distribution Date and prior to the Final Expiration Date in accordance with Section 22 hereof.

 

Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.   Definitions

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

 

(a)   “ Acquiring Person ” shall mean any Person who or which, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding, b ut shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any employee benefit plan or employee stock plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or (iv) any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan , provided, however , that if, as of the date hereof or prior to the first public announcement of the adoption of this Agreement, any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Common Shares outstanding, such Person shall not be deemed to be or to become an “Acquiring Person” unless and until such time as such Person shall, after the first public announcement of the adoption of this Agreement, become the Beneficial Owner of additional Common Shares (other than pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Shares or pursuant to a split or subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares), unless, upon becoming the Beneficial Owner of such additional Common Shares, such Person is not then the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become an “Acquiring Person” as the result of an acquisition of Common Shares by the Company which, by reducing the number of Common Shares of the Company outstanding, increases the proportionate number of Common Shares of the Company beneficially owned by such Person to 20% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding; provided, however , that, if a Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding by reason of share purchases by the Company and shall, after such share purchases by the Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares of the Company, other than in connection with a stock split, stock dividend or other similar transaction initiated by the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement, then such Person shall be deemed to be an “ Acquiring Person .” Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), has become such inadvertently, and such Person as promptly as practicable (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) divests a sufficient number of Common Shares so that such Person would no longer be an “Acquiring Person,” as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), then such Person shall not be deemed to be or have been an “Acquiring Person” for any purposes of this Agreement.

 

(b)   “ Affiliate ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

 

(c)   “ Associate ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

 

(d)   A Person shall be deemed the “ Beneficial Owner ,” and to have “ beneficial ownership ” of, and to “ beneficially own ,” any securities:

 

(i)   which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates is or may be deemed to be the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as such rules are in effect on the date of this Agreement;

 

(ii)   of which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has the right to become the Beneficial Owner (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the occurrence of conditions), directly or indirectly, pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise;

 

(iii)   which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities), for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as described in clause (B) of the proviso to this sentence) or disposing of any securities of the Company; and

 

(iv)   which such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates are deemed to Constructively Own;

 

provided, however , that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner,” or to have “beneficial ownership” of, or to “beneficially own,” any security (A) tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered security is accepted for payment or exchange, or (B) solely because such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such security pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act, except if such power (or the arrangements relating thereto (whether or not in writing)) is then reportable on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report).

 

Nothing in this Section 1(d) shall cause a Person engaged in business as an underwriter of securities to be deemed the “Beneficial Owner,” or to have “beneficial ownership” of, or to “beneficially own,” any securities acquired through such Person’s participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting until the expiration of 40 days after the date of such acquisition, and then only if such securities continue to be owned by such Person at such expiration of 40 days and (y) a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner,” or to have “beneficially ownership” of, or to “beneficially own,” any security if such beneficial ownership arises solely as a result of such Person’s status as a “clearing agency” as defined in Section 3(a)(23) of the Exchange Act.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no officer or director of the Company shall be deemed to beneficially own any securities of any other Person solely by virtue of any actions that such officer or director takes in such capacity. For purposes of this Agreement, in determining the percentage of the outstanding Common Shares with respect to which a Person is the Beneficial Owner, all shares as to which such Person is deemed the Beneficial Owner shall be deemed to be outstanding.

 

(e)   “ Book-Entry ” shall mean a book-entry for uncertificated Common Shares in the direct registration system for the Company’s Common Shares.

 

(f)   “ Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

(g)   “ close of business ” on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City, New York time, on such date; provided, however , that, if such date is not a Business Day, it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City, New York time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

(h)   “ Common Shares ” when used with reference to the Company shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.0024 per share, of the Company.  “Common Shares” when used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the capital stock (or equity interest) with the greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the Person or Persons that ultimately control such first-mentioned Person.

 

(i)   “ Common Stock Equivalent ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

 

(j)   A Person shall be deemed to “ Constructively Own ” Common Shares in respect of which such Person has a Synthetic Long Position, calculated in the manner set forth below.  The number of Common Shares in respect of a Synthetic Long Position that shall be deemed to be Constructively Owned is the notional or other number of Common Shares in respect of such Synthetic Long Position that is specified in a filing by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates with the SEC or in the documentation evidencing such Synthetic Long Position as the basis upon which the value or settlement amount of such right or derivative, or the opportunity of the holder of such right or derivative to profit or share in any profit, is to be calculated in whole or in part, and in any case (or if no such number of Common Shares is specified in any filing or documentation), as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith to be the number of Common Shares to which such Synthetic Long Position relates.

 

(k)   “ Current Value ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

 

(l)   “ Distribution Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(m)   “ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(n)   “ Exchange Ratio ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24(a) hereof.

 

(o)   “ Final Expiration Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.

 

(p)   “ NASDAQ ” shall mean the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

 

(q)   “ Person ” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

 

(r)   “ Preferred Shares ” shall mean shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Company having the rights and preferences set forth in the Form of Certificate of Designations attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A .

 

(s)   “ Purchase Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof, as adjusted in accordance with this Agreement and as in effect from time to time.

 

(t)   “ Record Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the second paragraph hereof.

 

(u)   “ Redemption Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.

 

(v)   “ Redemption Price ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a) hereof.

 

(w)   “ Right ” shall have the meaning set forth in the second paragraph hereof.

 

(x)   “ Right Certificate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a) hereof.

 

(y)   “ Rights Notice ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(d) hereof.

 

(z)   “ Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

 

(aa)   “ Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(bb)   “ Security ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)(i) hereof.

 

(cc)   “ Shares Acquisition Date ” shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such; provided that , if such Person is determined not to be or have become an Acquiring Person, then no such Shares Acquisition Date shall be deemed to have occurred.

 

(dd)   “ Spread ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

 

(ee)   “ Subsidiary ” of any Person shall mean any corporation, partnership or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

 

(ff)   “ Substitution Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

 

(gg)   “ Summary of Rights ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) hereof.

 

(hh)   “ Synthetic Long Position ” shall mean any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, swap agreement or other security, contract right or derivative position, whether or not presently exercisable, that has an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to the value of Common Shares or a value determined in whole or part with reference to, or derived in whole or in part from, the value of Common Shares and that increases in value as the value of Common Shares increases or that provides to the holder an opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase in the value of Common Shares, in any case without regard to whether (i) such derivative conveys any voting rights in such securities to such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates, (ii) such derivative is required to be, or capable of being, settled through delivery of such securities, or (iii) such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates may have entered into other transactions that hedge the economic effect of such derivative. A Synthetic Long Position shall not include any interests, rights, options or other securities set forth in Rule 16a-1(c)(1)-(5) or (7) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.

 

(ii)   “ Trading Day ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d) hereof.

 

(jj)   “ Trust ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24(d) hereof.

 

(kk)   “ Trust Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24(d) hereof.

 

 

The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall, prior to the Distribution Date, also be the holders of the Common Shares of the Company) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment.  The Company may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.

 

Section 3.   Issue of Right Certificates

 

(a)   Until the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth day after the Shares Acquisition Date or, if the tenth day after the Shares Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the close of business on the Record Date or (ii) the close of business on the tenth Business Day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors of the Company prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date of the commencement by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common Shares of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) of a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any Person becoming an Acquiring Person (including any such date that is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of the Rights) (the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the “ Distribution Date ”), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b) , 3(c) and 3(d) hereof) by (A) in the case of Common Shares held in certificated form, the certificates for Common Shares of the Company registered in the names of the holders thereof either containing a legend substantially in the form set forth in Section 3(c) or together with a copy of the Summary of Rights and (B) in the case of Common Shares held in uncertificated form, by the account balances indicated in the Book-Entries registered in the names of the holders of such shares together with a copy of the Summary of Rights or a written statement containing the Rights Notice (which certificates, either containing a legend substantially in the form set forth in Section 3(c) or together with a Summary of Rights, or account balances, together with a copy of the Summary of Rights or a written statement containing the Rights Notice, shall also be deemed to be Right Certificates) and not by separate Right Certificates, (y) the Rights, including the right to receive Right Certificates, will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying Common Shares, and (z) the registered holders of the Common Shares will also be the registered holders of the associated Rights.  As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign, and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested, send) by first-class, insured, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares of the Company as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (a “ Right Certificate ”), evidencing one Right for each Common Share so held.  As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.

 

(b)   On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (the “ Summary of Rights ”), by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the close of business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company.  With respect to certificates for Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced (subject to Sections 3(c) and 3(d) hereof) by such certificates registered in the names of the holders thereof together with a copy of the Summary of Rights.  With respect to Book-Entries for Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced (subject to Sections 3(c) and 3(d) hereof) by the account balances indicated in such Book-Entries registered in the names of the holders thereof together with a copy of the Summary of Rights.  Until the Distribution Date (or the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of any Common Shares outstanding on the Record Date represented by certificates or Book-Entry, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company represented thereby.

 

(c)   Rights shall be issued in respect of all Common Shares that become outstanding (whether originally issued or delivered from treasury and including, without limitation, reacquired Common Shares referred to in Section 3(e) ) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date.  Certificates issued for Common Shares (including, without limitation, upon original issuance, delivery from treasury, upon transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Common Shares, or upon replacement of certificate(s) that have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen) after the Record Date but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:

 

This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between Tandy Leather Factory, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., dated as of June 6, 2013, as it may be amended from time to time (the “ Rights Agreement ”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company.  Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights (as defined in the Rights Agreement) will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate.  The Rights are not exercisable prior to the occurrence of certain events specified in the Rights Agreement.  Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, the securities or property for which the Rights may be exercised may be adjusted, and the Rights may be redeemed, may be exchanged, may expire, or may be amended.  The Company will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor.  AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY ANY PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) WHO BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ANY AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE THEREOF (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) BECOME NULL AND VOID.

 

With respect to all certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company represented thereby.  Notwithstanding this Section 3(c) , neither the omission of the legend required hereby, nor the inclusion of a legend that makes reference to a rights agreement other than this Agreement shall affect the enforceability of any part of this Agreement or the rights of any holder of Rights.

 

(d)   With respect to Book-Entries made after the Record Date but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date (including, without limitation, upon original issuance of Common Shares, delivery of Common Shares from treasury, upon transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Common Shares, or upon replacement of certificate(s) for Common Shares that have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen), the Company shall cause to be sent to the registered holder of such Common Shares within a reasonable time thereafter a written statement containing a rights notice (the “ Rights Notice ”), which Rights Notice shall be in substantially the form of the following legend and may be provided as part of or together with any notice with respect to Common Shares that may be required by applicable law:

 

Preferred share purchase rights are associated with the Common Shares of the Company pursuant to the Rights Agreement between Tandy Leather Factory, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ” ), and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., dated as of June 6, 2013, as it may be amended from time to time (the “ Rights Agreement ” ), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company.  Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights (as defined in the Rights Agreement) will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be associated with and trade together with the Common Shares of the Company.  The Rights are not exercisable prior to the occurrence of certain events specified in the Rights Agreement.  Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, the securities or property for which the Rights may be exercised may be adjusted, and the Rights may be redeemed, may be exchanged, may expire, or may be amended.  The Company will mail to the holder of Common Shares of the Company a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor.  AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY ANY PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) WHO BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ANY AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE THEREOF (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) BECOME NULL AND VOID.

 

With respect to Book-Entries for Common Shares for which a written statement containing the Rights Notice has been sent, until the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company reflected by such Book-Entries shall be evidenced by such Book-Entries together with a written statement containing the Rights Notice, and the transfer of such Common Shares, with or without a written statement containing the Rights Notice, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such Common Shares.  Notwithstanding this Section 3(d) , neither the omission of the legend required hereby, nor the inclusion of a legend that makes reference to a rights agreement other than this Agreement shall affect the enforceability of any part of this Agreement or the rights of any holder of Rights.

 

(e)   In the event that the Company purchases or acquires any Common Shares of the Company after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such Common Shares of the Company shall be deemed cancelled and retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the Common Shares of the Company that are no longer outstanding.

 

Section 4.   Form of Right Certificates

 

The Right Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase Preferred Shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto, and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any applicable rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any applicable rule or regulation of any stock exchange, or to conform to usage.  Subject to the provisions of Section 22 hereof, the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as shall be set forth therein at the price per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share set forth therein (the “ Purchase Price ”), but the number of such one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share and the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.

 

Section 5.   Countersignature and Registration

 

The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer, either manually or by facsimile signature, shall have affixed thereto the Company’s seal or a facsimile thereof, and shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature.  The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless countersigned.  In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the individual who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any individual who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such individual was not such an officer.

 

Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its principal office, books for registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder.  Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right Certificates and the date of each of the Right Certificates, and the certificate number for each of the Right Certificates.

 

Section 6.   Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates

 

.  Subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, at any time after the close of business on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or Right Certificates (other than Right Certificates representing Rights that have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof or that have been exchanged pursuant to Section 24 hereof) may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase.  Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office of the Rights Agent.  Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested.  The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates.

 

Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company’s request, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

 

Section 7.   Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights.

 

(a)   The registered holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein), in whole or in part, at any time after the Distribution Date, upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the principal office of the Rights Agent, together with payment of the Purchase Price for each one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share as to which the Rights are exercised, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the close of business on June 6, 2016 (the “ Final Expiration Date ”), (ii ) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the “ Redemption Date ”), or (iii) the time at which such Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof.

 

(b)   The Purchase Price for each one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share purchasable pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $30.00, and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 11 or 13 hereof, and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c) below.

 

(c)   Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the shares to be purchased and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right Certificate in accordance with Section 9 hereof by certified check, cashier’s check or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred Shares certificates for the number of Preferred Shares to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes any such transfer agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) if the Company shall have elected to deposit the total number of Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights with a depositary agent, requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred Shares represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent of the Preferred Shares with such depositary agent) and the Company hereby directs such depositary agent to comply with all such requests; (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof; (iii) promptly after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder; and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt, promptly deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.

 

(d)   In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise fewer than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to such holder’s duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.

 

(e)   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported transfer or exercise of Rights pursuant to Section 6 hereof or this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i) completed and signed the certificate and the form of assignment or election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Right Certificate surrendered for such transfer or exercise, and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company or the Rights Agent shall reasonably request.

 

Section 8.   Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates

 

All Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no Right Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement.  The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof.  The Rights Agent shall destroy such cancelled Right Certificates in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules or deliver all cancelled Right Certificates to the Company.

 

Section 9.   Availability of Preferred Shares

 

(a)   The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares or any Preferred Shares held in its treasury the number of Preferred Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights in accordance with Section 7 hereof.  The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such Preferred Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares.

 

(b)   If then required by law, the Company shall use its best efforts (i) as soon as practicable following an event described in Section 11(a)(ii) as to which the consideration to be delivered by the Company upon exercise of the Rights has been determined in accordance with this Agreement, or as soon as is required by law following the Distribution Date, as the case may be, to file a registration statement on an appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, (ii) to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing, and (iii) to cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of which Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities and (B) the Final Expiration Date. If then required by law, the Company shall also use its best efforts to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states in connection with the exercise of the Rights.  The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed 120 days after the first occurrence of an event described in Section 11(a)(ii) , the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to become effective. Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement (and shall provide written notice to the Rights Agent) stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement, in each case with written notice to the Rights Agent, at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction unless any requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall have been obtained, the exercise of such Rights is permitted under applicable law, and if required by law a registration statement has been declared effective.

 

(c)   The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges that may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of any Preferred Shares upon the exercise of Rights.  The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred Shares in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or to deliver any certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Shares upon the exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that no such tax is due.

 

Section 10.   Preferred Shares Record Date

 

Each Person in whose name any certificate for Preferred Shares is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however , that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company are open.  Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Right Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of Preferred Shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

 

Section 11.   Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of Rights

 

The Purchase Price, the number of Preferred Shares covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11 .

 

(a)   (i)           In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of Preferred Shares or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) , the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification; provided, however , that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right.  If an event occurs that would require an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

 

(ii)   Subject to Section 24 hereof, in the event any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right shall thereafter have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of Common Shares of the Company as shall equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable and (B) dividing that product by 50% of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares of the Company (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of the occurrence of such event.  In the event that any Person shall become an Acquiring Person and the Rights shall then be outstanding, the Company shall not take any action, except as permitted by this Agreement, which if at the time such action is or would be taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

 

From and after the occurrence of such event, any Rights that are or were acquired or beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person (or any Associate or Affiliate of such Acquiring Person) shall be void, and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no right to exercise such Rights under any provision of this Agreement.  No Right Certificate shall be issued pursuant to Section 3 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof; no Right Certificate shall be issued at any time upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof or to any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate; and any Right Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent for transfer to an Acquiring Person (or any Associate or Affiliate of such Acquiring Person) whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be cancelled.

 

(iii)   In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued (and unreserved) to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with subparagraph (ii) above, the Board of Directors shall to the extent permitted by applicable law, (A) determine the value of the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right in accordance with subparagraph (ii) above (the “ Current Value ”), and (B) with respect to each Right (other than Rights that have become null and void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) ), make adequate provision to substitute for the Common Shares issuable in accordance with subparagraph (ii) upon exercise of the Right and payment of the applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in such Purchase Price, (3) Common Shares or other equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, units, shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock including without limitation, Preferred Shares, which, by virtue of having dividend, voting and liquidation rights substantially comparable to those of the Common Shares, are deemed in good faith by the Board of Directors to have on a per unit, share or fractional basis substantially the same value as a Common Share) (such unit, share or fraction of a share of preferred stock is hereinafter referred to as a “ Common Stock Equivalent ”)), (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other assets or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value equal to the Current Value (less the amount of any reduction in the applicable Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board of Directors (upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board of Directors in good faith); provided , however , if the Company shall not make adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within 30 days following but not including the date that the Acquiring Person became such (the “ Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date ”), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, Common Shares (to the extent available), and then, if necessary, such number or fractions of Preferred Shares (to the extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “ Spread ” shall mean the excess of (i) the Current Value over (ii) the Purchase Price.  If within the 30 day period referred to above the Board of Directors shall determine in good faith that it is likely that sufficient additional Common Shares could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, then, if the Board of Directors so elects, such 30 day period may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than 90 days after but not including the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek stockholder approval for the authorization of such additional shares (such 30 day period, as it may be extended, is hereinafter called the “ Substitution Period ”). To the extent that the Company determines that some action need be taken pursuant to the first and/or second sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii) , the Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and the last sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights and (y) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to such second sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect.  For purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii) , the value of a Common Share shall be the current per share market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) ) on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the value of any Common Stock Equivalent shall be deemed to equal the current per share market price of the Common Shares  on such date.

 

(b)   In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares (or shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Shares (“equivalent preferred shares”)) or securities convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares at a price per Preferred Share or equivalent preferred share (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares) less than the then current per share market price of the Preferred Shares (as defined in Section 11(d) ) on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of Preferred Shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market price and the denominator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible); provided, however , that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right.  In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and holders of the Rights.  Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation.  Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and, in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price that would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

 

(c)   In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in Preferred Shares) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the then-current per share market price of the Preferred Shares on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and holders of the Rights) of the portion of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one Preferred Share and the denominator of which shall be such then-current per share market price of the Preferred Shares on such record date; provided, however , that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company to be issued upon exercise of one Right.  Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and, in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

 

(d)   (i)           For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “current per share market price” of any security (a “ Security ” for the purpose of this Section 11(d)(i) ) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Security for the 30 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date; provided , however , that, in the event that the current per share market price of the Security is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or Securities convertible into such shares (other than the Rights), or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security and prior to the expiration of 30 Trading Days after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per share equivalent of such Security.  The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, reported at or prior to 4:00 P.M. Eastern time or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the bid and asked prices, regular way, reported as of 4:00 P.M. Eastern time, in either case, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported on NASDAQ or in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price reported at or prior to 4:00 P.M. Eastern time or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported as of 4:00 P.M. Eastern time by the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.  The term “ Trading Day ” shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business, or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

 

(ii)   For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the “current per share market price” of the Preferred Shares shall be determined in accordance with the method set forth in Section 11(d)(i) .  If the Preferred Shares are not publicly traded, the “current per share market price” of the Preferred Shares shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per share market price of the Common Shares as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof), multiplied by one thousand.  If neither the Common Shares nor the Preferred Shares are publicly held or so listed or traded, the “current per share market price” shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.

 

(e)   No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; provided, however , that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.  All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred Share or one ten-thousandth of any other share or security as the case may be.  Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e) , any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction that requires such adjustment or (ii) the date of the expiration of the right to exercise any Rights.

 

(f)   If, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than Preferred Shares, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Shares contained in Section 11(a) , (b) , (c) , (e) , (h) , (i) , (j) , (k) , (m) and (n) , inclusive, and the provisions of Sections 7 , 9 , 10 , 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

 

(g)   All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

 

(h)   Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in Section 11(i) hereof, upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in Section 11(b) and (c) hereof, each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share (calculated to the nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred Share) obtained by (A) multiplying (x) the number of one one-thousandths of a share covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (B) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.

 

(i)   The Company may elect, on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price, to adjust the number of Rights in substitution for any adjustment in the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share purchasable upon the exercise of a Right.  Each of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment.  Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price.  The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made.  This record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right Certificates have been issued, shall be at least 10 days later than the date of the public announcement.  If Right Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i) , the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment.  Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein, and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

 

(j)   Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or in the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.

 

(k)   Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Purchase Price below one one-thousandth of the then par value, if any, of the Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may duly authorize and validly issue fully paid and non-assessable Preferred Shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.

 

(l)   In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of the Preferred Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the Preferred Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however , that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder’s right to receive such additional shares upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

 

(m)   Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11 , as and to the extent that it, in its sole discretion, shall determine to be advisable in order that any consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Shares, issuance wholly for cash of any Preferred Shares at less than the current market price, issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares or securities that by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Shares, dividends on Preferred Shares payable in Preferred Shares or issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to in Section 11(b) hereof, hereafter made by the Company to holders of the Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

 

(n)   In the event that, at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Distribution Date, the Company shall (i) declare or pay any dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares, or (ii) effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares) into a greater or lesser number of Common Shares, then, in any such case, (A) the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share purchasable after such event upon proper exercise of each Right shall be determined by multiplying the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share so purchasable immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately before such event and the denominator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after such event, and (B) each Common Share outstanding immediately after such event shall have issued with respect to it that number of Rights that each Common Share outstanding immediately prior to such event had issued with respect to it.  The adjustments provided for in this Section 11(n) shall be made successively whenever such a dividend is declared or paid or such a subdivision, combination or consolidation is effected.

 

Section 12.   Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares

 

Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or 13 hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Shares or the Preferred Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) if such adjustment occurs at any time after the Distribution Date, mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25 hereof.

 

Section 13.   Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power

 

In the event, directly or indirectly, at any time after a Person has become an Acquiring Person, (a) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any other Person, (b) any Person shall consolidate with the Company, or merge with and into the Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger and, in connection with such merger, all or part of the Common Shares shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person (or the Company) or cash or any other property, or (c) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person other than the Company or one or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that (i) each holder of a Right (except as otherwise provided herein) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares of such other Person (including the Company as successor thereto or as the surviving corporation) as shall equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable and (B) dividing that product by 50% of the then current per share market price of the Common Shares of such other Person (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of consummation of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; (ii) the issuer of such Common Shares shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term “ Company ” shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such issuer; and (iv) such issuer shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares in accordance with Section 9 hereof) in connection with such consummation as may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to its Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights.  The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer unless, prior thereto, the Company and such issuer shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement so providing.  The Company shall not enter into any transaction of the kind referred to in this Section 13 if at the time of such transaction there are any rights, warrants, instruments or securities outstanding or any agreements or arrangements which, as a result of the consummation of such transaction, would eliminate or substantially diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.  The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers.

 

Section 14.   Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares

 

(a)   The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Right Certificates that evidence fractional Rights.  In lieu of such fractional Rights, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right.  For the purposes of this Section 14 (a) , the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable.  The closing price for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported on NASDAQ or in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board or such other system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.  If on any such date no such market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.

 

(b)   The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred Shares (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates that evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share).  Fractions of Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it; provided that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares represented by such depositary receipts.  In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares that are not integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one Preferred Share.  For the purposes of this Section 14 (b) , the current market value of a Preferred Share shall be the closing price of a Preferred Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

 

(c)   The holder of a Right, by the acceptance of the Right, expressly waives such holder’s right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right (except as provided above).

 

Section 15.   Rights of Action

 

All rights of action in respect of this Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), may, in such holder’s own behalf and for such holder’s own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such holder’s right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate in the manner provided in such Right Certificate and in this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement, and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement.

 

Section 16.   Agreement of Right Holders

 

Every holder of a Right, by accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:

 

(a)   prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares;

 

(b)   after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and with the appropriate forms and certificates fully executed;

 

(c)   the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Shares certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificate or the associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and

 

(d)   notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation; provided, however , the Company must use its best efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as possible.

 

Section 17.   Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder

 

No holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or any other securities of the Company that may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

Section 18.   Concerning the Rights Agent

 

.  The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent such reasonable compensation as shall be agreed to in writing by the Company and the Rights Agent for all services rendered by it hereunder, and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.  The Company also agrees to indemnify and defend the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any claim, damage, loss, liability, or expense incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability in the premises.

 

The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for, or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with, its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or  transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.

 

Section 19.   Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent

 

Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the stock transfer or corporate trust powers of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof.  In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and, in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and, in all such cases, such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

 

In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and, in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and, in all such cases, such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

 

Section 20.   Duties of Rights Agent

 

The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

 

(a)   The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and shall be held harmless and indemnified by the Company in relying on the advice or opinion of such counsel in respect of any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

 

(b)   Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and the Company shall hold the Rights Agent harmless and indemnify the Rights Agent in respect of any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

 

(c)   The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and any other Person only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

 

(d)   The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

 

(e)   The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due authorization and execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) or any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method or amount thereof) provided for in Section 3 , 11 , 13 , 23 or 24 hereof, or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after actual notice that such change or adjustment is required); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any Preferred Shares will, when issued, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(f)   The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(g)   The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting for those instructions.

 

(h)   The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may, to the extent not otherwise prohibited by applicable law, buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement.  Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

 

(i)   If, with respect to any Right Certificate surrendered to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either not been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2 thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise or transfer and shall return the item to the surrendering party for completion.

 

 

The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days’ notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail.  The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days’ notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class mail.  If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent.  If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate (which holder shall, with such notice, submit such holder’s Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent.  Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a) a legal business entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise the powers of the Rights Agent contemplated by this Agreement and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million or (b) an affiliate of a legal business entity described in clause (a) of this sentence.  After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose.  Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates.  Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21 , however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

 

 

Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by the Board of Directors of the Company to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.  In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of Common Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date, the Company (i) shall with respect to Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any employee plan or arrangement, granted or awarded prior to the Distribution Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities, notes or debentures issued by the Company prior to the Distribution Date, and (ii) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, issue Right Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however , that (i) the Company shall not be obligated to issue any such Right Certificates if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Right Certificate would be issued, and (ii) no Right Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

 

Section 23.   Redemption

 

(a)   The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.01 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the “ Redemption Price ”).  The redemption of the Rights by the Board of Directors of the Company may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, may establish.

 

(b)   Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to Section 23(a) , and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price.  The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption; provided, however , that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption.  Within 10 days after such action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of the then outstanding Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares.  Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.  Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.

 

Section 24.   Exchange

 

(a)   The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for Common Shares at an exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any adjustment in the number of Rights pursuant to Section 11(i) (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the “ Exchange Ratio ”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the Company shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person who is an Acquiring Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Common Shares then outstanding.

 

(b)   Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 24 and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.  The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however , that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange.  The Company promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent.  Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.  Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Common Shares for Rights will be effected, and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights that will be exchanged.  Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

 

(c)   In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common Shares issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued (and unreserved) to permit an exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 24 , the Company shall substitute to the extent of such insufficiency, for each Common Share that would otherwise be issuable upon exchange of a Right, (i) Common Stock Equivalents, as such term is used in Section 11(a)(iii) , (ii) cash, (iii) debt securities of the Company, (iv) other assets or (v) any combination of the foregoing, in any event having an aggregate value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent), equal to the current per share market price of one Common Share (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) ) on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the effectiveness of the exchange pursuant to this Section 24 .

 

(d)   The exchange of the Rights by the Board of Directors may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish, including, without limitation, a requirement that a Rights holder submitting Rights for exchange must certify that such holder is not, or after due inquiry and to the best of such holder’s knowledge did not receive such holder’s Rights from, a Person who is or was, an Acquiring Person or Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person.  Without limiting the foregoing, prior to effecting an exchange pursuant to this Section 24 , the Board of Directors may direct the Company to enter into a Trust Agreement in such form and with such terms as the Board of Directors shall then approve (the “ Trust Agreement ”). If the Board of Directors so directs, the Company shall enter into the Trust Agreement and shall issue to the trust created by such agreement (the “ Trust ”) all of the Common Shares (or substitute securities or assets pursuant to Section 24(c) ) issuable pursuant to the exchange (or any portion thereof that have not theretofore been issued in connection with the exchange). From and after the time at which such shares are issued to the Trust, all Persons then entitled to receive shares pursuant to the exchange shall be entitled to receive such shares (or substitute securities or assets pursuant to Section 24(c) ) (and any dividends or distributions made thereon after the date on which such shares are deposited in the Trust) only from the Trust and solely upon compliance with the relevant terms and provisions of the Trust Agreement. Any shares of capital stock issued at the direction of the Board of Directors in connection herewith shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares or Preferred Shares (as the case may be), and the Company shall be deemed to have received as consideration for such issuance a benefit having a value that is at least equal to the aggregate par value of the shares so issued.

 

(e)   The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Common Shares or to distribute certificates that evidence fractional Common Shares.  In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Common Shares would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Common Share.  For purposes of this paragraph (e), the current market value of a whole Common Share shall be the closing price of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this Section 24 .

 

Section 25.   Notice of Certain Events

 

(a)   In case the Company shall, at any time after the Distribution Date, propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of the Preferred Shares or to make any other distribution to the holders of the Preferred Shares (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer to the holders of the Preferred Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional Preferred Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of the Preferred Shares (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred Shares), (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with, or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to, any other Person, (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (vi) to declare or pay any dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or to effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Shares), then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, or distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 10 days prior to the record date for determining holders of the Preferred Shares for purposes of such action, and, in the case of any such other action, at least 10 days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares, whichever shall be the earlier.

 

(b)   In case the event set forth in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall occur, then the Company shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event and the consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

 

Section 26.   Notices

 

.  Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

 

Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.

 

1900 Southeast Loop 820

 

Fort Worth, Texas 76140

 

Attention:  Corporate Secretary

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

 

Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc.

 

1717 Arch Street

 

Suite 1300

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19103

 

Attention:  Corporate Actions Department

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

 

2 Journal Square Plaza

 

Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

 

Attention:  General Counsel

 

Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.

 

Section 27.   Supplements and Amendments

 

The Company, by action of the Board of Directors, may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Right Certificates in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, to shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder, or to make any other provisions with respect to the Rights that the Company may deem necessary or desirable, any such supplement or amendment to be evidenced by a writing signed by the Company and the Rights Agent; provided, however , that, from and after such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, this Agreement shall not be amended in any manner that would adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights (other than Rights that have become void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof).

 

Section 28.   Successors

 

All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

 

Section 29.   Benefits of this Agreement

 

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares).

 

Section 30.   Severability

 

If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

 

Section 31.   Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc

 

For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares of each class of Common Shares or of any other class of capital stock outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of determining the particular percentage of the outstanding voting power or such outstanding shares of Common Stock of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) (as in effect on the date of this Agreement) under the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors of the Company or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the Agreement). All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) that are done or made by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not subject the Board of Directors of the Company, or any of the directors on the Board of Directors of the Company, to any liability to the holders of the Rights.

 

Section 32.   Governing Law

 

This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such state applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such state.

 

Section 33.   Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

Section 34.   Descriptive Headings

 

Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

Attest:   By:       /s/ William M. Warren Name:      William M. Warren Title:      Secretary	TANDY LEATHER FACTORY, INC.   By:            /s/ Jon Thompson                                                      Name:           Jon Thompson Title:           Chief Executive Officer and President
Attest:   By:     /s/ Megan Keefe Name:      Megan Keefe Title:Corp. Act. Event Manager	BROADRIDGE CORPORATE ISSUER SOLUTIONS, INC.   By:            /s/ James O’Regan                                                     Name:           James O’Regan Title:           Vice President

 

 

Exhibit A

 

FORM

 

of

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

 

of

 

SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

 

of

 

TANDY LEATHER FACTORY, INC.

 

(Pursuant to Section 151 of the

 

Delaware General Corporation Law)

 

Tandy Leather Factory, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “ Corporation ”), hereby certifies that the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation as required by Section 151 of the General Corporation Law at a meeting duly called and held on June 6, 2013:

 

RESOLVED , that pursuant to the authority granted to and vested in the Board of Directors of this Corporation (hereinafter called the “ Board of Directors ” or the “ Board ”) in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors hereby creates a Series of Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Corporation (the “ Preferred Stock ”), and hereby states the designation and number of shares, and fixes the relative rights, preferences, and limitations thereof as follows:

 

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock:

 

Section 1.  Designation and Amount .  The shares of such Series shall be designated as “Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock” (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”) and the number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 25,000.  Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to a number less than the number of shares then outstanding plus the number of shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, rights or warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities issued by the Corporation convertible into Series A Preferred Stock.

 

Section 2.  Dividends and Distributions .

 

(a)           Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any Series of Preferred Stock (or any similar stock) ranking prior and superior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common Stock, par value $0.0024 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), of the Corporation, and of any other junior stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first day of March, June, September and December in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a “ Quarterly Dividend Payment Date ”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions, other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock.  In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

 

(b)           The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2(a) immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock).

 

(c)           Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.  Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest.

 

(d)           Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding.  The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

 

Section 3.  Voting Rights .  The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

 

(a)           Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.  In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

 

(b)           Except as otherwise provided herein, in any other Certificate of Designations creating a Series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock, or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock and any other capital stock of the Corporation having general voting rights shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

 

(c)           Except as set forth herein, or as otherwise provided by law, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

 

Section 4.  Certain Restrictions .

 

(a)           Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

 

(i)           declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock;

 

(ii)           declare or pay dividends, or make any other distributions, on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled;

 

(iii)           redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock; or

 

(iv)           redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective Series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective Series or classes.

 

(b)           The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation  to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under Section 4(a) , purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

 

Section 5.  Reacquired Shares .  Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof.  All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new Series of Preferred Stock subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein, in the Certificate of Incorporation, or in any other Certificate of Designations creating a Series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock or as otherwise required by law.

 

Section 6.  Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up .  Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made (a) to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have received $1,000 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, provided that the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive an aggregate amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of shares of Common Stock, or (b) to the holders of shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.  In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the aggregate amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the proviso in clause (a) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

 

Section 7.  Consolidation, Merger, etc .  In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.  In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

 

Section 8.  No Redemption .  The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.

 

Section 9.  Rank .  The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, junior to all series of any other class of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock.

 

Section 10.  Fractional Shares.  The Series A Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share that shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

Section 11.  Amendment .  The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be amended in any manner that would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Certificate of Designations is executed on behalf of the Corporation by its Chief Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary this 6 th day of June, 2013.

 

 

     

                                                                                  ______________________________________________________________

                                                   Jon Thompson, Chief Executive Officer and President

 

Attest:

 

__________________________________

William M. Warren, Secretary

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Right Certificate

 

Certificate No. R- _____ Rights

 

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER JUNE 6, 2016 OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE OCCURS.  THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $ 0.01 PER RIGHT AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT.

 

Right Certificate

 

Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.

 

This certifies that ____________________, or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2013 (the “ Agreement ”), between Tandy Leather Factory, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc. (the “ Rights Agent ”), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City, New York time, on June 6, 2016 , at the principal office of the Rights Agent, or at the office of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Company (the “ Preferred Shares ”), at a purchase price of $30.00 per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (the “ Purchase Price ”), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed.  The number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share that may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of June 6, 2013, based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such date.  As provided in the Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share that may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

 

This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates.  Copies of the Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the Company and the offices of the Rights Agent.

 

This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the principal office of the Rights Agent, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of Preferred Shares as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase.  If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price of $0.01 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for Preferred Shares or shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0024 per share.  No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but, in lieu thereof, a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Agreement.

 

No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or of any other securities of the Company that may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Agreement.

 

This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

 

WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal.  Dated as of __________, 20__.

 

ATTEST:   By: Name: Title:	TANDY LEATHER FACTORY, INC.   By:            Name:            Title:
Countersigned: BROADRIDGE CORPORATE ISSUER SOLUTIONS, INC. By:            Name:                                                                 Title:

 
 

 

[Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate]

 

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

 

(To be executed by the registered holder if such

 

holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate.)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED ________________________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

(Please print name and address of transferee)

 

this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________________ Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution.

 

Dated:                                           

 

 

 

Signature

 

Signature Guaranteed:

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE

 

The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

 

(1)           the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [  ] are [  ] are not being assigned and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement); and

 

(2)           after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [  ] did   [  ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.

 

Dated: _____________, 20___                                                                           

 

Signature

 

Signature Guaranteed:

 

 

 

[Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate – continued]

 

FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

 

(To be executed if holder desires to exercise

 

Rights represented by the Right Certificate.)

 

To:           Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise _________ Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such Preferred Shares be issued in the name of:

 

Please insert social security

 

or other identifying number

 

 

(Please print name and address)

 

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

 

Please insert social security

 

or other identifying number

 

 

(Please print name and address)

 

 

Dated: _____________, 20___                                                                           

 

Signature

 

Signature Guaranteed:

 

 

 

[Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate – continued]

 

CERTIFICATE

 

The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

 

(1)           the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [  ] are [  ] are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement); and

 

(2)           after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, it [  ] did [  ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.

 

 

Dated: _____________, 20___                                                                           

 

Signature

 

Signature Guaranteed:

 

 

 
 

 

NOTICE

 

The signature in the Form of Assignment and Certificate or Form of Election to Purchase and Certificate, as the case may be, must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

All Guarantees must be made by a financial institution (such as a bank or broker) which is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“ STAMP ”), the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (“ MSP ”), or the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (“ SEMP ”) and must not be dated.  Guarantees by a notary public are not acceptable.

 

In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, the Company and the Rights Agent may deem the beneficial owner of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Agreement) and not honor such Assignment or Election to Purchase.

 

 

Exhibit C

 

SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE

 

PREFERRED SHARES

 

Introduction

 

On June 6, 2013, the Board of Directors of our Company, Tandy Leather Factory, Inc., a Delaware corporation, declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “ Right ”) for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0024 per share.  The dividend is payable on June 16, 2013 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 16, 2013. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of June 6, 2013 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “ Rights Agreement ”) between the Company and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., as Rights Agent.

 

Our Board has adopted the Rights Agreement to protect stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics.  In general terms, it works by imposing a significant penalty upon any person or group that acquires 20% or more of our outstanding common stock without the approval of our Board (an “ Acquiring Person ”).  The Rights Agreement should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by our Board.  An exception has been included in the Rights Agreement to ensure that certain owners, including their respective affiliates and associates are not by virtue of their share ownership automatically deemed to be an Acquiring Person upon adoption of the Rights Agreement unless any such owner subsequently acquires additional shares of common stock and after giving effect to such acquisition owns 20% or more of our outstanding common stock.

 

We set forth below a summary of the principal terms of the Rights Agreement as made between our Company and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., as the Rights Agent, on June 6, 2013.  Please note, however, that this is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the entire Rights Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference.  A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to a Form 8-K filed on June 10, 2013 .  A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from our Company.

 

The Rights .  Our Board authorized the issuance of a Right with respect to each outstanding share of common stock as of the close of business on June 16, 2013 (the “ Record Date ”).  The Rights will initially trade with, and will be inseparable from, the common stock.  New Rights will accompany any new shares of common stock we issue after June 16, 2013 until the earlier of the Distribution Date, the redemption date or the final expiration date of the Rights, as described below.  Prior to exercise, a Right does not give its holder any dividend, voting or liquidation rights.

 

Exercise Price .  Each Right will allow its holder to purchase from our Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share (“ Preferred Share ”) for $30.00, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances (the “ Purchase Price ”), once the Rights become exercisable.

 

Exercisability .  The Rights will not be exercisable until

 

●

ten days after the public announcement that a person or group has become an “ Acquiring Person ” by obtaining beneficial ownership of 20% or more of our outstanding common stock (or by obtaining beneficial ownership of any additional shares of our outstanding common stock in the case of an Acquiring Person who beneficially owned 20% or more of our outstanding common stock prior to the first public announcement of the adoption of the Rights Agreement), or, if earlier,

 

●	ten business days (or a later date determined by our Board before any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person) after a person or group commences a tender or exchange offer which, if completed, would result in that person or group becoming an Acquiring Person.

 

For purposes of the Rights Agreement, beneficial ownership is defined to include shares of our common stock that are deemed to be constructively owned (as defined in the Rights Agreement) as a result of certain synthetic or derivative positions.

 

We refer to the date when the Rights become exercisable as the “ Distribution Date .” Until the Distribution Date, the Rights are evidenced, with respect to any common stock certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such common stock certificates, and with respect to any shares of common stock held in uncertificated form as of the Record Date, by the account balances indicated in the book-entry system for the Company’s Common Stock, in each case together with a copy of this Summary of Rights.  Until the Distribution Date, new common stock certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuance of shares will contain a notation regarding the Rights (which certificates will evidence the associated Rights) and the Company will deliver a notice regarding the Rights upon the transfer or new issuance of shares of common stock held in book-entry form (which book-entry account balances together with such notice will evidence the associated Rights).  Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption, exchange, termination or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any certificates for common stock or book-entry shares, with or without such notation, notice or Summary of Rights, will also constitute the transfer of the associated Rights.  After the Distribution Date, the Rights will separate from the common stock and be evidenced solely by Right certificates that we will mail to all eligible holders of common stock.  Any Rights held by an Acquiring Person or any associate or affiliate thereof are void and may not be exercised.

 

Consequences of a Person or Group Becoming an Acquiring Person .

 

●

Flip In .  If a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, all holders of Rights except the Acquiring Person or any associate or affiliate thereof may, upon exercise of a Right, purchase for the Purchase Price shares of our common stock with a market value of two times the Purchase Price, based on the market price of the common stock prior to such acquisition.  If the Company does not have a sufficient number of shares of common stock available, the Company may under certain circumstances substitute Preferred Shares or other securities or property for the common stock into which the Rights would have otherwise been exercisable.

 

●

Flip Over .  If our Company is acquired in a merger or similar transaction after an Acquiring Person becomes such, all holders of Rights except the Acquiring Person or any associate or affiliate thereof may, upon exercise of a Right, purchase for the Purchase Price shares of the acquiring company with a market value of two times the Purchase Price, based on the market price of the acquiring company’s stock prior to such merger.

 

Preferred Share Provisions .

 

Each one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, if issued:

 

●            will not be redeemable.

 

●	will entitle the holder to quarterly dividend payments equal to the dividend paid on one share of common stock.

 

●	will entitle the holder upon liquidation to receive either $1.00 or an amount equal to the payment made on one share of common stock, whichever is greater.

 

●            will have the same voting power as one share of common stock.

 

●	if shares of our common stock are exchanged via merger, consolidation, or a similar transaction, will entitle the holder to a payment equal to the payment made on one share of common stock.

 

The value of one one-thousandth interest in a Preferred Share should approximate the value of one share of common stock.

 

Expiration .  The Rights will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City, New York time, on June 6, 2016, unless such date is advanced or extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by our Board as described below.

 

Redemption .  Our Board may redeem the Rights for $0.01 per Right at any time before any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person.  If our Board redeems any Rights, it must redeem all of the Rights.  Once the Rights are redeemed, the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price of $0.01 per Right.  The redemption price will be adjusted if the Company has a stock split or issues stock dividends of its common stock.

 

Exchange .  After a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, but before an Acquiring Person owns 50% or more of our outstanding common stock, our Board may extinguish the Rights by exchanging one share of common stock or an equivalent security or other property for each Right, other than Rights held by the Acquiring Person.

 

Anti-Dilution Provisions .  The purchase price of the Preferred Shares, the number of Preferred Shares issuable and the number of outstanding Rights are subject to adjustment to prevent dilution that may occur as a result of certain events, including among others, a stock dividend, a stock split, or a reclassification of the Preferred Shares or common stock.  No adjustments to the Purchase Price of less than 1% will be made.

 

Amendments .  The terms of the Rights Agreement may be amended by our Board without the consent of the holders of the Rights except that after a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, our Board may not amend the agreement in a way that adversely affects holders of the Rights.  Because the Board has the ability to amend the Rights Agreement in any manner, or redeem the Rights, prior to the time a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, the Rights should not interfere with a negotiated acquisition, but, in fact, have been designed to encourage a party interested in merging or consolidating with the Company to negotiate with the Board before making an offer.