UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-A/A
For Registration of Certain Classes of Securities
Pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act
PXRE Group Ltd.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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Bermuda
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98-0214719
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
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(IRS Employer Identification No.)
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PXRE House
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110 Pitts Bay Road
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P.O. Box HM 1282
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Pembroke HM 08
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Hamilton HM FX
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Bermuda
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Bermuda
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Mailing Address)
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If this form relates to the registration of a class of
securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is
effective pursuant to
General Instruction A.(c), please check the following box.
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þ
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If this form relates to the registration of a class of
securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act
and is effective pursuant to
General Instruction A.(d), please check the following box
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Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates:
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class
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Name of Each Exchange on which
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to be so Registered
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Each Class is to be Registered
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Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share
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The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
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Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
None
(Title of Class)
This amendment is being filed by the Registrant to register the common shares (which
were the subject of the prior filing of this Form 8-A) on the exchange shown on the cover page of
this amendment and to update the description of the common shares. Upon the effective time of the
pending merger with Argonaut Group, Inc. (which is expected to occur prior to the opening of
trading on August 7, 2007), PXRE Group Ltd.s name will be changed to Argo Group International
Holdings, Ltd., and the description of its common shares will be as described herein.
Item 1. Description of Registrants Securities to be Registered.
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (Argo Group) is incorporated as an exempted company
limited by shares under the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda. Accordingly, the rights of Argo Group
shareholders are governed by Bermuda law and Argo Groups memorandum of association and bye-laws.
The following description of Argo Groups common shares, par value $1.00 per share, summarizes
certain provisions in Argo Groups memorandum of association and bye-laws.
The common shares are, when issued against payment therefor, fully paid and nonassessable.
Holders of Argo Groups common shares have no preemptive, redemption, conversion or sinking fund
rights. The rights of holders of common shares will be subject to, and may be adversely affected
by, the rights of holders of any preferred shares that may be issued in the future.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Argo Group, the holders of
common shares are entitled to share equally and ratably in Argo Groups assets, if any, remaining
after the payment of all of Argo Groups debts and liabilities and the liquidation preference of
any outstanding preferred shares. Additional authorized but unissued common shares may be issued by
Argo Groups board of directors without the approval of the shareholders.
Because Argo Group is a holding company, Argo Groups rights, and the rights of holders of
Argo Groups securities, including the holders of common shares, to participate in the distribution
of assets of any of Argo Groups subsidiaries upon that subsidiarys liquidation or
recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiarys creditors and preferred
shareholders if any, except to the extent Argo Group may be a creditor with recognized claims
against the subsidiary or a holder of preferred shares of the subsidiary.
Voting Rights and Shareholder Meetings
In general and except as provided under Argo Groups bye-laws and as provided below, common
shareholders have one vote for each common share held by them and are entitled to vote, on a
non-cumulative basis, at all meetings of shareholders. However, if, and so long as, the shares of a
shareholder in Argo Group are treated as controlled shares (as determined pursuant to section
958 of the Code) of any U.S. person (that owns shares directly or indirectly through non-U.S.
entities) and such controlled shares constitute 9.5% or more of the votes conferred by the issued
shares of Argo Group, the voting rights with respect to the controlled shares owned by such U.S.
person would be limited, in the aggregate, to a voting power of less than 9.5%, under a formula
specified in Argo Groups bye-laws. The formula would be applied repeatedly until the voting power
of all 9.5% U.S. shareholders has been reduced to less than 9.5%. In addition, the board of
directors of Argo Group would be able to limit a shareholders voting rights when it deems it
appropriate to do so to (i) avoid the existence of any 9.5% U.S. shareholder; and (ii) avoid
certain material adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to Argo Group, any subsidiary of
Argo Group or any direct or indirect shareholder or its affiliates. Controlled shares
include, among other things, all shares of Argo Group that such U.S. person is deemed to own
directly, indirectly or constructively (within the meaning of section 958 of the Code). The amount
of any reduction of votes that would occur by operation of the above limitations would generally be
reallocated proportionately among all other shareholders of Argo Group whose shares were not
controlled shares of the 9.5% U.S. shareholder so long as such reallocation would not cause any
person to become a 9.5% U.S. shareholder.
Under these provisions, certain shareholders may have their voting rights limited, while other
shareholders may have voting rights in excess of one vote per share. Moreover, these provisions
could have the effect of reducing the votes of certain shareholders who would not otherwise be
subject to the 9.5% limitation by virtue of their direct share ownership.
Argo Group is authorized to require any shareholder to provide information as to that
shareholders beneficial share ownership, the names of persons having beneficial ownership of the
shareholders shares, relationships with other shareholders or any other facts the directors may
deem relevant to a determination of the number of common shares attributable to any person. If any
holder fails to respond to this request or submits incomplete or inaccurate information, Argo Group
would, in its sole discretion, be able to eliminate the shareholders voting rights. A shareholder
would be required to give notice within ten days of the date the shareholder acquires actual
knowledge that it is the direct or indirect holder of controlled shares of 9.5% or more of the
voting power of all Argo Groups issued and outstanding shares. No shareholder would be liable to
any other shareholder or to Argo Group for any losses or damages resulting from the shareholders
failure to respond to, or submission of incomplete or inaccurate information in response to, a
request from Argo Group for information as to the shareholders beneficial share ownership or from
the shareholders failure to give the notice described in the previous sentence. All information
provided by the shareholder would be treated by Argo Group as confidential information and would be
used by Argo Group solely for the purpose of establishing whether any 9.5% U.S. shareholder exists
(except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation).
If Argo Group is required or entitled to vote at an annual or special general meeting (or to
act by unanimous written consent in lieu of a general meeting) of any directly held non-U.S.
subsidiary, the Argo Group directors would refer the subject matter of the vote to the Argo Group
shareholders and seek direction from such shareholders as to how the Argo Group directors should
vote on the resolution proposed by the non-U.S. subsidiary.
Argo Groups bye-laws provide that the quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders
is a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting present in person or by
proxy. In general, matters are determined by a simple majority of votes cast by Argo Groups common
shareholders, except as otherwise required by law or Argo Groups bye-laws.
Under the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, a company is required to convene at least one general
shareholders meeting per calendar year referred to in the Act as the annual general meeting. Under
Bermuda law and Argo Groups bye-laws, general meetings of shareholders may either be annual or
special. Under Bermuda law, special general meetings must be called upon the request of
shareholders holding not less than 10% of the paid up share capital of the company carrying the
right to vote at general meetings. Directors may also convene special general meetings as they deem
necessary.
Bermuda law requires that shareholders be given at least five days advance notice of a
general meeting, although the accidental omission of notice to any person does not invalidate the
proceedings at a meeting. Under Argo Groups bye-laws, notice of annual general meetings and
special general meetings must be made in writing at least 21 days before the meeting.
Election or Removal of Directors
Argo Groups board of directors is currently divided into three classes and comprised of 13
directors. The number of directors of Argo Group shall not number less than three or more than 13
as may be determined by a simple majority of votes cast by Argo Groups common shareholders. Under
Bermuda law and Argo Groups bye-laws, directors are elected at the annual general meeting to serve
until their successors are elected or appointed, unless they are earlier removed or resign. The
bye-laws do not intend to allow for cumulative voting in the election of directors and cumulative
voting in the election of directors is expressly prohibited.
The election of Argo Groups Class I, II and III directors is determined by a simple majority
of votes cast by Argo Groups common shareholders, except as otherwise required by law. Argo
Groups shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, holders of a majority of
the common shares entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all Class I, II and III
directors. The specific number of directors constituting the board of directors is determined from
time to time by resolution of Argo Groups shareholders at a general meeting. The number of
directors in each class shall be the whole number contained in the quotient arrived at by dividing
the authorized number of directors by three and if a fraction is also contained in such quotient,
then if such fraction is one-third (1/3) the extra director shall be a member of Class III and if
the fraction is two-thirds (2/3) one of the directors shall be a member of Class III and the other
shall be a member of Class II. Each director shall serve for a term ending on the third Annual
General Meeting following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided however,
that the initial term of each Class and the classes to which the first slate of directors elected
hereunder belong, shall be determined by a simple majority of the votes cast at the time of such
initial election. The foregoing notwithstanding, each director shall serve until his successor
shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless he shall resign, become disqualified, disabled
or shall otherwise be removed.
Under Bermuda law and Argo Groups bye-laws, a director may be removed at a special general
meeting of shareholders specifically called for that purpose, provided that the director was served
with at least 14 days notice. The director has a right to be heard at the meeting. Any vacancy
created by the removal of a director at a special general meeting may be filled at that meeting by
the election or appointment of another director in his or her place or, in the absence of any
election, by the board of directors.
Dividends
The holders of common shares will receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared by Argo
Groups board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. Under Bermuda law, Argo
Group may not declare or pay a dividend, or make a distribution out of contributed surplus, if
there are reasonable grounds for believing that (i) Argo Group is, or after the payment would be,
unable to pay Argo Groups liabilities as they fall due, or (ii) the realizable value of Argo
Groups assets after the payment or distribution would be less than the aggregate amount of Argo
Groups liabilities and Argo Groups issued share capital and share premium accounts. All dividends
unclaimed for a period of six years after having been declared will be forfeited and revert to Argo
Group. Except as noted in this paragraph, there are no limitations under Bermuda law on the rights
of non-resident or foreign shareholders to receive dividends.
Transfer Of Shares
Transfer of shares must be in writing. The instrument of transfer of a share may be in any
form which Argo Groups board of directors approves. The Argo Group directors may decline to
register the transfer of any shares if they have reason to believe that such transfer may expose
Argo Group, any subsidiary of Argo Group or any direct or indirect shareholder or its affiliates to
non-
de minimis
adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences in any jurisdiction. Similarly, Argo
Group would be restricted from issuing or repurchasing shares if the Argo Group directors believe
that such issuance or repurchase may result in a non-
de minimis
adverse tax, legal or regulatory
consequence to Argo Group, any subsidiary of Argo Group or any direct or indirect shareholder or
its affiliates.
Modification Of Rights
Argo Groups bye-laws provide that, subject to Bermuda law and the limitation on controlled
shares, the rights attached to any class of common shares may be modified by a resolution passed at
a separate general meeting of the holders representing at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast of that
class. For purposes of this meeting, two or more shareholders present in person or by proxy
representing at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of that class and entitled to
vote will be a quorum.
Bermuda Monetary Authority Limitations on Ownership
Any person who, directly or indirectly, becomes a holder of at least 10 percent, 20 percent,
33 percent or 50 percent of the common shares of Argo Group must notify the Bermuda Monetary
Authority (BMA) in writing within 45 days of becoming such a holder or 30 days from the date they
have knowledge of having such a holding, whichever is later. The BMA may, by written notice, object
to such a person if it appears to it that the person is not fit and proper to be such a holder. The
BMA may require the holder to reduce its holding of common shares and direct, among other things,
that voting rights attaching to such common shares shall not be exercisable. A person that does not
comply with such a notice or direction from the BMA will be guilty of an offense.
Finally, the BMA may at any time, by written notice, object to a person holding 10 percent or
more of the common shares of Argo Group if it appears to the BMA that the person is not or is no
longer fit and proper to be such a holder. In such a case, the BMA may require the shareholder to
reduce its holding of common shares and direct, among other things, that voting rights attaching to
such common shares shall not be exercisable. A person who does not comply with such a notice or
direction from the BMA will be guilty of an offense.
Taxation of Argo Group Shareholders
Currently,
there is no Bermuda income, corporate or profits tax, or withholding
tax, capital gains tax, capital transfer tax, estate tax, inheritance
tax or other tax payable in Bermuda by holders of the common shares,
except insofar as such taxes apply to persons ordinarily resident in
Bermuda. Bermuda and the United States have entered into a tax
treaty, but it does not address withholding taxes.
Item 2. Exhibits.
Pursuant to the Instructions as to Exhibits for Form 8-A, no exhibits are required to be
filed, because no other securities of the Registrant are registered on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market and the securities registered hereby are not being registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
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Date: August 6, 2007
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PXRE Group Ltd.
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(Registrant)
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By:
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/s/ Robert P. Myron
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Name:
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Robert P. Myron
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Title:
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Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
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