SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): MAY 19, 2003
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS 1-31447 74-0694415
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
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1111 LOUISIANA
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrants' telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On May 19, 2003, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. closed the private offering of $575,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its convertible senior notes due 2023 (the "Convertible Senior Notes").
For a description of the Convertible Senior Notes, please refer to the Indenture dated as of May 19, 2003 between CenterPoint Energy and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee (the "Indenture"), and to Supplemental Indenture No. 1 dated as of May 19, 2003 to the Indenture, between CenterPoint Energy and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. The Indenture and Supplemental Indenture No. 1 are attached to this report as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2, respectively.
On May 21, 2003, CenterPoint Energy announced that it priced $400
million aggregate principal amount of its senior notes (the "Senior Notes") in a
private placement with institutions pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. A copy of that press release is attached as Exhibit
99.1. The private offering of the Senior Notes closed on May 27, 2003.
For a description of the Senior Notes, please refer to the Indenture and to Supplemental Indenture No. 2 dated as of May 27, 2003 to the Indenture, between CenterPoint Energy and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. Supplemental Indenture No. 2 is attached to this report as Exhibit 4.3.
Neither the Convertible Senior Notes nor the Senior Notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and neither the Convertible Senior Notes nor the Senior Notes may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This report does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
4.1 Indenture dated as of May 19, 2003 between CenterPoint Energy and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee ("Indenture")
4.2 Supplemental Indenture No. 1 dated as of May 19, 2003 to Indenture, between CenterPoint Energy and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee
4.3 Supplemental Indenture No. 2 dated as of May 27, 2003 to Indenture, between CenterPoint Energy and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee
99.1 Press Release issued May 21, 2003 regarding pricing of private placement of senior notes
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
Date: June 3, 2003 By: /s/ James S. Brian
-------------------------------
James S. Brian
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Exhibit Description
------- -------------------
4.1 Indenture dated as of May 19, 2003 between CenterPoint Energy
and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee ("Indenture")
4.2 Supplemental Indenture No. 1 dated as of May 19, 2003 to
Indenture, between CenterPoint Energy and JPMorgan Chase Bank,
as trustee
4.3 Supplemental Indenture No. 2 dated as of May 27, 2003 to
Indenture, between CenterPoint Energy and JPMorgan Chase Bank,
as trustee
99.1 Press Release issued May 21, 2003 regarding pricing of private
placement of senior notes
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EXHIBIT 4.1
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
To
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of May 19, 2003
CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THIS INDENTURE RELATING TO
SECTIONS 310 THROUGH 318,
INCLUSIVE, OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939:
TRUST INDENTURE
ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION(S)
Section 310(a)(1)............................................................................... 609
(a)(2).................................................................................. 609
(a)(3).................................................................................. Not Applicable
(a)(4).................................................................................. Not Applicable
(b)..................................................................................... 608, 610
Section 311(a).................................................................................. 613
(b)..................................................................................... 613
Section 312(a).................................................................................. 701, 702
(b)..................................................................................... 702
(c)..................................................................................... 702
Section 313(a).................................................................................. 703
(b).................................................................................... 703
(c).................................................................................... 703
(d).................................................................................... 703
Section 314(a).................................................................................. 704
(a)(4).................................................................................. 101, 1004
(b)..................................................................................... Not Applicable
(c)(1).................................................................................. 102
(c)(2).................................................................................. 102
(c)(3).................................................................................. Not Applicable
(d)..................................................................................... Not Applicable
(e)..................................................................................... 102
Section 315(a).................................................................................. 601
(b)..................................................................................... 602
(c)..................................................................................... 601
(d)..................................................................................... 601
(e)..................................................................................... 514
Section 316(a).................................................................................. 101
(a)(1)(A)............................................................................... 502, 512
(a)(1)(B)............................................................................... 513
(a)(2).................................................................................. Not Applicable
(b)..................................................................................... 508
(c)..................................................................................... 104
Section 317(a)(1)............................................................................... 503
(a)(2).................................................................................. 504
(b)..................................................................................... 1003
Section 318(a).................................................................................. 107
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NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION........................... 1
SECTION 101. Definitions....................................................................... 1
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.............................................. 8
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee............................................ 8
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates..................................................... 9
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company............................................. 10
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver......................................................... 11
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act................................................. 11
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.......................................... 11
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns............................................................ 12
SECTION 110. Separability Clause............................................................... 12
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture............................................................. 12
SECTION 112. Governing Law..................................................................... 12
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.................................................................... 12
ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS.................................................................... 12
SECTION 201. Forms Generally................................................................... 12
SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.......................................................... 13
SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security....................................................... 15
SECTION 204. Form of Legend for Global Securities.............................................. 20
SECTION 205. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication................................... 20
ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES.................................................................... 21
SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.............................................. 21
SECTION 302. Denominations..................................................................... 24
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.................................... 24
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.............................................................. 26
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange............................... 26
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.................................. 28
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset........... 29
SECTION 308. Optional Extension of Maturity.................................................... 31
SECTION 309. Persons Deemed Owners............................................................. 32
SECTION 310. Cancellation...................................................................... 32
SECTION 311. Computation of Interest; Usury Not Intended....................................... 33
SECTION 312. CUSIP Numbers..................................................................... 33
ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE........................................................ 34
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture........................................... 34
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money........................................................ 35
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ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES.......................................................................... 35 SECTION 501. Events of Default................................................................. 35 SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment................................ 37 SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee................... 38 SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.................................................. 38 SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities....................... 39 SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.................................................... 39 SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits............................................................... 40 SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest......... 40 SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies................................................ 40 SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.................................................... 41 SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver...................................................... 41 SECTION 512. Control by Holders................................................................ 41 SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults........................................................... 41 SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs............................................................. 42 SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws........................................... 42 ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE....................................................................... 42 SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities............................................... 42 SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults................................................................ 43 SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee......................................................... 43 SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities............................ 44 SECTION 605. May Hold Securities............................................................... 44 SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust............................................................... 45 SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.................................................... 45 SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests............................................................. 45 SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility........................................... 46 SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor................................. 46 SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor............................................ 47 SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business....................... 48 SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company................................. 49 SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent............................................... 49 ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY................................. 51 SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders......................... 51 SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders............................ 51 SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee................................................................ 51 SECTION 704. Reports by Company................................................................ 52 ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE.............................. 52 SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.............................. 52 SECTION 802. Successor Substituted............................................................. 53 |
ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES........................................................... 53
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders................................ 53
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders................................... 55
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.............................................. 56
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures................................................. 56
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act............................................... 56
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures................................ 57
ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS......................................................................... 57
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest........................................ 57
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency................................................... 57
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust................................. 57
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default............................................... 58
SECTION 1005. Existence......................................................................... 59
SECTION 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants....................................................... 59
ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES.......................................................... 59
SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article.......................................................... 59
SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee............................................. 59
SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed................................. 60
SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.............................................................. 60
SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price....................................................... 61
SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date............................................. 61
SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part....................................................... 62
ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS..................................................................... 62
SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article.......................................................... 62
SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities............................. 62
SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund......................................... 63
ARTICLE THIRTEEN REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDERS............................................ 63
SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article.......................................................... 63
SECTION 1302. Repayment of Securities........................................................... 63
SECTION 1303. Exercise of Option................................................................ 63
SECTION 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.................... 64
SECTION 1305. Securities Repaid in Part......................................................... 64
ARTICLE FOURTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE................................................ 65
SECTION 1401. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...................... 65
SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.......................................................... 65
SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance............................................................... 65
SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance................................... 66
SECTION 1405. Acknowledgment of Discharge By Trustee............................................ 67
SECTION 1406. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust;
Miscellaneous Provisions........................................................ 68
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SECTION 1407. Reinstatement..................................................................... 68 ARTICLE FIFTEEN IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES........ 69 SECTION 1501. Exemption from Individual Liability............................................... 69 |
INDENTURE (herein called this "Indenture"), dated as of May 19, 2003, between CenterPoint Energy, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at 1111 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, a New York state banking corporation having an office in Houston, Texas, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the "Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article One have the meanings assigned to them in this Article One and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States of America at the date of such computation, provided that when two or more principles are so generally accepted, it shall mean that set of principles consistent with those in use by the Company;
(4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture;
(5) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(6) words importing any gender include the other genders;
(7) references to statutes are to be construed as including all statutory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute referred to;
(8) references to "writing" include printing, typing, lithography and other means of reproducing words in a tangible, visible form;
(9) the words "including," "includes" and "include" shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without limitation"; and
(10) unless otherwise provided, references to agreements and other instruments shall be deemed to include all amendments and other modifications to such agreements and instruments, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture.
"Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
"Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, or such committee of the Board of Directors or officers of the Company to which authority to act on behalf of the Board of Directors has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day", when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this
instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
"Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor Person.
"Company Request" or "Company Order" mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, a Vice Chairman of the Board, its Chief Financial Officer, its President or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which, in the case of JPMorgan Chase Bank, shall be as follows: (a) for payment, registration, transfer and exchange of the Securities: 2001 Bryan Street, 9th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Registered Bond Events; telephone: (214) 672-5125 or (800) 275-2048; telecopier: (214) 672-5873; and (b) for all other communications relating to the Securities: 600 Travis Street, Suite 1150, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Institutional Trust Services; telephone: (713) 216-6815; telecopier: (713) 577-5200.
"corporation" means a corporation, association, company, limited liability company, joint-stock company or business trust.
"Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1403.
"Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307(a).
"Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1402.
"Depositary" means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 301.
"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Exchange Rate" has the meaning specified in Section 501.
"Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104.
"Extension Notice" has the meaning specified in Section 308.
"Extension Period" has the meaning specified in Section 308.
"Final Maturity" has the meaning specified in Section 308.
"Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 204 (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities).
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
"Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term "Indenture" shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.
"interest", when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
"Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
"Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal or premium, if any, becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
"Maximum Interest Rate" has the meaning specified in Section 311.
"Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in
Section 501(4).
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Financial Officer, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company (and who may be an employee of the Company), and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee.
"Optional Reset Date" has the meaning specified in Section 307(b).
"Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.
"Original Stated Maturity" has the meaning specified in Section 308.
"Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(1) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and irrevocably segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 1402; and
(4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section
306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been
authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any
such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to
the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a
bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid
obligations of the Company; provided, however, that in determining
whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action
hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue
Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the
amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of
such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date
pursuant to Section 502, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount
payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the
principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be
Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as
contemplated by Section 301, (C) the principal amount of a Security
denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which
shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent,
determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by
Section 301, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case
of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount
determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities owned by the
Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of
the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed
not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only
Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith
may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect
to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the
Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
"Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company. The Company initially authorizes and appoints the Trustee as the Paying Agent for the Securities.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 301.
"Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
"Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301.
"Repayment Date" means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Reset Notice" has the meaning specified in Section 307(b).
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, means an officer in the Institutional Trust Services department of the Trustee having direct responsibility for administration of this Indenture and, when used with respect to any successor Trustee, means the chairman or any vice chairman of the board of directors, the chairman or any vice chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the chairman of the trust committee, the president, any vice president, the secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the cashier, any assistant cashier, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, the controller or any assistant controller or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
"Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.
"Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307(a).
"Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or premium, if any, or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of or premium, if any, on such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
"Subsequent Interest Period" has the meaning specified in Section 307(b).
"Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
"Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
"U.S. Government Obligation" has the meaning specified in Section 1404.
"Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "vice president".
"Yield to Maturity" means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, the individual has made or caused to be made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such individual to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons may certify or give an opinion as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which such officer's certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 104.
The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall
automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect),
and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any
action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly
after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own
expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders
and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to
each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in
Section 106.
The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of
determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join
in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of
acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute
proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in
Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or
not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such
action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable
Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any
action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this
paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with
no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant
series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set
pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause
notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable
Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of
Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.
With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 104, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the "Expiration Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 104, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.
Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Institutional Trust Services, or
(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to the attention of the Treasurer of the Company at the address of the Company's principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 110. Separability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 112. Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section 113)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and no additional interest shall accrue as the result of such delayed payment.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201. Forms Generally.
The Securities of each series and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with applicable tax laws or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of such series may be listed or traded or Depositary therefor or as may,
consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
The definitive Securities of each series shall be typewritten, printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods, if required by any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of such series may be listed or traded, on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of such series may be listed or traded, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.
[INSERT ANY LEGEND REQUIRED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
AND THE REGULATIONS THEREUNDER.]
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
(Title of Security)
No. __________ $ ___________
CUSIP No. ________
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the "Company", which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _______________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________ Dollars on ____________________ [if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- , and to pay interest thereon from _______________ or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on __________ and __________ in each year, commencing __________, at the rate of _____% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable, insert -- , provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of _____% per annum (to the extent permitted by applicable law), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand]. [If applicable, insert -- The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. A "Business Day" shall mean, when used with respect
to any Place of Payment, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.] The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the __________ or __________ (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall bear interest at the rate of _____% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue principal or premium shall be payable on demand.]
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert -- any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent maintained for that purpose in __________, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert -- ; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register].
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
Dated: _______________ CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
By: _______________________________
Attest:
______________________
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SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the "Indenture", which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert --, limited in aggregate principal amount to $__________; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect].
[If applicable, insert-- The interest rate (or the spread or spread
multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on this Security
may be reset by the Company on ____________ (each an "Optional Reset Date"). The
Company may exercise such option with respect to this Security by notifying the
Trustee of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days prior to an
Optional Reset Date for this Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each
Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in
Section 106 of the Indenture, to the Holder of this Security a notice (the
"Reset Notice") indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest
rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate,
if applicable), and if so (i) such new interest rate (or such new spread or
spread multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the provisions, if any, for
redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional
Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated
Maturity of this Security (each such period a "Subsequent Interest Period"),
including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and
the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent
Interest Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish an interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) that is higher than the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice, for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the
manner provided for in Section 106 of the Indenture, notice of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) to the Holder of this Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities of this series with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph, will bear such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier, if applicable).
The Holder of this Security will have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of this Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount hereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen of the Indenture for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered this Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.]
[If applicable, insert -- The Stated Maturity of this Security may be extended at the option of the Company for _______________ (each an "Extension Period") up to but not beyond ____________ (the "Final Maturity"). The Company may exercise such option with respect to this Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of this Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the "Original Stated Maturity"). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106 of the Indenture, to the Holder of this Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the "Extension Notice") indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee's transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of this Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, this Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of this Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106 of the Indenture, notice of such higher interest rate to the Holder of this Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities of this series with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.
If the Company extends the Maturity of this Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of this Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount hereof, plus interest accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Maturity hereof, the Holder hereof must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen of the Indenture for repayment at
the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered this Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.]
[If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, [if applicable, insert --
(1) on __________ in any year commencing with the year _____ and ending with the
year _____ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption
Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)] at any time [if
applicable, insert -- on or after __________, 20__], as a whole or in part, at
the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as
percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert -- on
or before __________, _____%, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period
beginning __________ of the years indicated,
Redemption Redemption
Year Price Year Price
--- ----- ---- -----
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and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to _____% of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert -- (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, (1) on __________ in any year commencing with the year _____ and ending with the year _____ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [if applicable, insert -- on or after __________], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning __________ of the years indicated,
Redemption Price For Redemption Price For
Redemption Through Redemption Otherwise
Operation of the Than Through Operation
Year Sinking Fund of the Sinking Fund
---- ------------ -------------------
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and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to _____% of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert -- Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to __________, redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [if applicable, insert -- Clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than _____% per annum.]
[If applicable, insert -- The sinking fund for this series provides for
the redemption on __________ in each year beginning with the year _____ and
ending with the year _____ of [if applicable, insert -- not less than
$__________ ("mandatory sinking fund") and not more than] $__________ aggregate
principal amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series
acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable,
insert -- mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent
[if applicable, insert -- mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to
be made [if applicable, insert --, in the inverse order in which they become
due].]
[If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert -- In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are not subject to redemption by the Company prior to their Stated Maturity and will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.]
The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.
[If applicable, insert -- The Indenture contains provisions for
defeasance at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or]
[certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this
Security] [, in each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in
the Indenture.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of
the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to -- insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and the Trustee shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one
or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $__________ and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
SECTION 204. Form of Legend for Global Securities.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall, in addition to the provisions contained in Sections 202 and 203, bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.
SECTION 205. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Date of authentication: ____________ __________________________
As Trustee
By: ______________________
Authorized Signatory
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ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate or in a Company Order, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;
(3) the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities of the series is payable, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended;
(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;
(5) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable, the place or places where the Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;
(6) the period or periods within or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the term and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;
(7) the obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which and the other terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(8) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(9) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(10) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units, including composite currencies, in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of "Outstanding" in Section 101;
(11) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the period or periods within or the date or dates on which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);
(12) the percentage of the principal amount at which such Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;
(13) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);
(14) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall not be defeasible or shall be defeasible in a manner varying from Section 1402 and Section 1403 and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;
(15) whether the Securities of the series, or any portion thereof, shall initially be issuable in the form of a temporary Global Security representing all or such portion of the Securities of such series and provisions for the exchange of such temporary Global Security for definitive Securities of such series;
(16) if applicable, that any Securities of the series, or any portion thereof, shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 204 and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section 305 in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;
(17) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be subject to the optional interest reset provisions of Section 307(b);
(18) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be subject to the optional extension of maturity provisions of Section 308;
(19) any addition to or change in the Events of Default
which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the
right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to
declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to
Section 502;
(20) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article Ten which applies to Securities of the series;
(21) the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of the Securities of such series in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
(22) the appointment of any Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities of such series, if other than the Company;
(23) the terms of any right to convert or exchange Securities of such series into any other securities or property of the Company or of any other corporation or Person, and the additions or changes, if any, to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;
(24) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Securities of the series are secured;
(25) any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series; and
(26) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901(5)).
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 303) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers' Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate or Company Order setting forth the terms of the series.
SECTION 302. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its Chief Financial Officer, its President or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced or impressed thereon and attested by its Corporate Secretary or one of its Assistant Corporate Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,
(1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers' Certificate or Company Order otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such
Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 310, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities of such series in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor.
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. If any indenture supplemental hereto refers to any transfer agents (in addition to the Security Registrar) initially designated by the Company with respect to any series of Securities, the Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts, provided that the Company maintains a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series. The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Securities.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities.
If the Securities of any series are to be redeemed in part, neither the
Trustee nor the Company shall be required, pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 305, (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities
of any series (or of any series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during
a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the
mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption
under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such
mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected
for redemption, in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Security to be
redeemed in part, any portion not to be redeemed.
The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to Global Securities:
(1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security, (ii) defaults in the performance of its duties as Depositary, or (iii) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when the Depositary is required to be so registered to act as depositary, in each case, unless the Company has approved a successor Depositary within 90 days, (B) the
Company in its sole discretion determines that such Global Security will be so exchangeable or transferable or (C) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by Section 301.
(3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct.
(4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon
registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global
Security or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section 305,
Section 304, 306, 906 or 1107 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and
delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such
Security is registered in the name of a Person other than the
Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.
SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and shall cancel and destroy such mutilated Security.
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. If, after the delivery of such new Security, a bona fide purchaser of the original Security in lieu of which such new Security was issued presents for payment or registration such original Security, the Trustee shall be entitled to recover such new Security from the party to whom it was delivered or any party taking therefrom, except a bona fide purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Company and the Trustee in connection therewith and shall cancel and destroy such new Security.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 306, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel to
the Company and the fees and expenses of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 306 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section 306 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.
(a) Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by
Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security
of any series which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on
any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that
Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest in respect of Securities
of such series, except that, unless otherwise provided in the Securities of such
series, interest payable on the Stated Maturity of the principal of a Security
shall be paid to the Person to whom principal is paid. The initial payment of
interest on any Security of any series which is issued between a Regular Record
Date and the related Interest Payment Date shall be payable as provided in such
Security or in the Board Resolution pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the
related series of Securities. Except in the case of a Global Security, at the
option of the Company, interest on any series of Securities may be paid (i) by
check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it shall appear on
the Security Register of such series or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately
available funds at such place and to such account as designated in writing by
the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register of such
series.
Any Paying Agents will be identified in a supplemental indenture hereto. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent; however, the Company at all times will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for each series of Securities.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect
to any series of Securities, any interest on any Security of any series which is
payable, but is not timely paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment
Date for Securities of such series (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the relevant Regular
Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest
may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause
(1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series in respect of which interest is in default (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed
in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in
writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each
Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at
the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of
money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of
such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the
Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment,
such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the
Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as provided in this Clause
(1). Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the
payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days
and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and
not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of
the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of
such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the
Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted
Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each
Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section
106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of
the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record
Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be
paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or
their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of
business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable
pursuant to the following Clause (2).
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which such Securities may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
(b) The provisions of this Section 307(b) may be made
applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such
modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such
Section 301). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to
calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may
be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such
Security (each an "Optional Reset Date"). The Company may exercise such option
with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least
50 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security.
Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall
transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of any such
Security a notice (the "Reset Notice") indicating whether the Company has
elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to
calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (i) such new interest
rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the
provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset
Date to the
next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period a "Subsequent Interest Period"), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish an interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) that is higher than the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice, for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph, will bear such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier, if applicable).
The Holder of any such Security will have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307 and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
SECTION 308. Optional Extension of Maturity.
The provisions of this Section 308 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an "Extension Period") up to but not beyond the date (the "Final Maturity") set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the "Original Stated Maturity"). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the "Extension Notice") indicating (i) the election of the
Company to extend the Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustee's transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, notice of such higher interest rate to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.
If the Company extends the Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.
SECTION 309. Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered on the applicable record date as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
SECTION 310. Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section
310, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be treated in accordance with its document retention policies.
SECTION 311. Computation of Interest; Usury Not Intended.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and interest on the Securities of each series for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the number of days elapsed in any partial month.
The amount of interest (or amounts deemed to be interest under applicable law) payable or paid on any Security shall be limited to an amount which shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the maximum nonusurious rate of interest allowed by the applicable laws of the State of Texas or (ii) the maximum nonusurious rate of interest allowed by the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any applicable law of the United States permitting a higher maximum nonusurious rate that preempts such applicable Texas and New York laws, which could lawfully be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received (the "Maximum Interest Rate"). If, as a result of any circumstances whatsoever, the Company or any other Person is deemed to have paid interest (or amounts deemed to be interest under applicable law) or any Holder of a Security is deemed to have contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received interest (or amounts deemed to be interest under applicable law), in excess of the Maximum Interest Rate, then, ipso facto, the obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced to the limit of validity, and if from any such circumstance, the Trustee, acting on behalf of the Holders, or any Holder shall ever receive interest or anything that might be deemed interest under applicable law that would exceed the Maximum Interest Rate, such amount that would be excessive interest shall be applied to the reduction of the principal amount owing on the applicable Security or Securities and not to the payment of interest, or if such excessive interest exceeds the unpaid principal balance of any such Security or Securities, such excess shall be refunded to the Company. In addition, for purposes of determining whether payments in respect of any Security are usurious, all sums paid or agreed to be paid with respect to such Security for the use, forbearance or detention of money shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of such Security.
SECTION 312. CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in "CUSIP" numbers.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities herein expressly provided for and as otherwise provided in this
Section 401), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company,
shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of
this Indenture, when
(1) either
(A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year of the date of deposit, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section 401, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501. Events of Default.
"Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to the Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or
(4) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture with respect to a Security of that series (other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section 501 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee
or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" under this Indenture; or
(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(6) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment of a substantial part of its property for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or
(7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series;
provided, however, that no event described in Clause (4) above shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder until a Responsible Officer assigned to and working in the Trustee's corporate trust department has actual knowledge thereof or has received written notice thereof as contemplated in Section 602.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 501, if the principal or any premium or interest on any Security is payable in a currency other than the currency of the United States of America and such currency is not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in the currency of the United States of America in an amount equal to the currency of the United States of America equivalent of the amount payable in such other
currency, as determined by the Trustee by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency ("Exchange Rate"), as such Exchange Rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 501, any payment made under such circumstances in the currency of the United States of America where the required payment is in a currency other than the currency of the United States of America will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than (a) an Event of Default specified in
Section 501(7) which is common to all Outstanding series of Securities or (b) an
Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or 501(6)) with respect to
Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then
in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal
amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that
series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal
amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) to be due
and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the
Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal
amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an
Event of Default under Section 501(7) which is common to all Outstanding series
of Securities occurs and is continuing, then in such case, the Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities
then Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class), by a notice in writing to the
Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders) may declare the principal
amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such
portion of the principal amount as may be specified by the terms thereof) of all
the Securities then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately, and upon any
such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become
immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5)
or 501(6) with respect to the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding
occurs, then in such case the principal amount of all the Securities of that
series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount
Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be
specified by the terms thereof) shall automatically, and without any declaration
or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due
and payable.
At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article Five, the Event of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if:
(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
(A) all overdue installments of interest on all Securities of that series,
(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on)
any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise
than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest
thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such
Securities,
(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel;
and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
The Company covenants that if:
(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, all amounts owing the Trustee, its agents and counsel under Section 607.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by
intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor Trustee under Section 607.
No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors' or other similar committee.
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 607, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.
Any money or property collected or to be applied by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities pursuant to this Article Five shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
Section 607;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on such series of Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such series of Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.
SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator or sequestrator (or other similar official), or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing itself of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Securities, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights
and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment
of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of
Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee
or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and
every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and
in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(3) subject to the provisions of Section 601, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow such direction if a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee shall, in good faith, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or would otherwise be contrary to applicable law.
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default
(1) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section 514 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder or group of Holders holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security. Neither this Section 514 nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or such an assessment in any proceeding instituted by the Company.
SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.
If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section 602, the term "default" means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.
The Trustee is not required to take notice or deemed to have notice of any Event of Default with respect to the Securities, except an Event of Default under Section 501(1), Section 501(2) or Section 501(3) hereof, unless a Responsible Officer shall have received written notice of such Event of Default from the Company, any Subsidiary or the Holder of any Security.
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate;
(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness
or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(8) the Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture;
(9) in the event the Trustee receives inconsistent or conflicting requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Holders of Securities, each representing less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities Outstanding, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may determine what action, if any, shall be taken;
(10) the Trustee's immunities and protections from liability and its right to indemnification in connection with the performance of its duties under this Indenture shall extend to the Trustee's officers, directors, agents and employees. Such immunities and protections and right to indemnification, together with the Trustee's right to compensation, shall survive the Trustee's resignation or removal and final payment of the Securities; and
(11) except for information provided by the Trustee concerning the Trustee, the Trustee shall have no responsibility for any information in any offering memorandum or other disclosure material distributed with respect to the Securities, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility for compliance with any state or federal securities laws in connection with the Securities.
SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in such amounts as the Company and the Trustee shall agree in writing from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except those attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.
The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity under this Section 607. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and, in the event the subject matter of the claim involves a conflict of interest between the Company and the Trustee, the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.
In the event the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in any proceedings which result from an Event of Default under Section 501(5) or (6), or from any default which, with the passage of time, would become such Event of Default, the expenses so incurred and compensation for services so rendered are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the United States Bankruptcy Code or equivalent law.
SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting
interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series.
SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 609 and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 609, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.
SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article Six shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611.
The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Company, acting pursuant to the authority of a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustee's co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article Six.
SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Six, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated, and in case any Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor Trustee or in the name of such successor Trustee, and in all cases the certificate of authentication shall have the full force which it is provided anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company
(or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against
the Company (or any such other obligor). For purposes of Section 311(b)(4) and
(6) of the Trust Indenture Act:
(a) "cash transaction" means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks and payable upon demand; and
(b) "self-liquidating paper" means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company (or any such obligor) for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security; provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company (or any such obligor) arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.
SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 614, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 614, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section 614.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent shall be the successor Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section 614, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 614, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 614.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 614, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 614, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: _____________
_______________________________, as Trustee
By: ___________________________, as Authenticating Agent
By: ___________________________ Authorized Officer
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee
(1) semi-annually, not later than January 15 and July 15 in each year, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of the preceding January 1 or July 1 as the case may be, and
(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be Security Registrar for Securities of a series, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.
SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided in the Trust Indenture Act.
Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.
The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.
Reports so required to be transmitted at stated intervals of not more than 12 months shall be transmitted no later than January 31 in each calendar year, commencing with the first January 31 after the first issuance of Securities under this Indenture.
A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
SECTION 704. Reports by Company.
The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless:
(1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with; provided, however, that the delivery of an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel is not required with respect to any consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease involving the Company and any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties
and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with
Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of,
the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor
Person had been named as the Company herein; and in the event of any such
conveyance or transfer (but not in the case of a lease) the Company shall be
discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the
Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.
Such successor Person may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor Person instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to such provisions and any Securities which such successor Person thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee on its behalf for the purpose pursuant to such provisions. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or lease, such changes in phraseology and form may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Article Eight; or
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for
the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), provided, however, that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or
(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or
(5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided, however, that if such addition, change or elimination shall adversely affect the interests of Holders of Securities of any series, such addition, change or elimination shall become effective with respect to such series only when no such Security of such series remains Outstanding; or
(6) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or
(8) to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities; or
(9) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611; or
(10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (10) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series; or
(11) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities; or
(12) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded; or
(13) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act, provided that such action does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any Holder of Securities.
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (treated as one class), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,
(1) except to the extent permitted by Section 307(b) or
Section 308 or otherwise specified in the form or terms of the
Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 with
respect to extending the Stated Maturity of any Security of such
series, change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the
principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium
payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the
principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security
which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of
the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change any Place of
Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any
premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the
Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the
Redemption Date), or
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section 902,
Section 513 or Section 1006, except to increase any such percentage or
to provide that certain other provisions of
this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this Section 902 and Section 1006, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 611 and 901(9), or
(4) if the Securities of any series are convertible or exchangeable into any other securities or property of the Company, make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any Security of such series (except as permitted by Section 901) or decrease the conversion or exchange rate or increase the conversion price of any such Security of such series, or
(5) if the Securities of any series are secured, change the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Securities of such series are secured in a manner adverse to the Holders of the secured Securities of such series.
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section 902 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article Nine, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company initially appoints the Trustee, acting through its Corporate Trust Office, as its agent for said purpose. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate to the extent required by law and hold in trust for
the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will provide to a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 1003, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable may be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers' Certificate, one of the signers of which shall be the principal executive, principal accounting or principal financial officer of the
Company, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.
SECTION 1005. Existence.
Subject to Article Eight and the Company's ability to convert into a limited liability company, limited partnership or limited liability partnership under applicable law, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence. On and after any conversion of the Company into a limited liability company, limited partnership or limited liability partnership under applicable law, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its limited liability company, limited partnership or limited liability partnership existence, as applicable.
SECTION 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such series or in Section 1005, if the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article Eleven.
SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a
shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction.
SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.
SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register.
With respect to Securities of each series to be redeemed, each notice of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers) and shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date,
(2) the Redemption Price,
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,
(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,
(5) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, and
(6) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable. The notice if mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, a failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.
SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or before the Redemption Date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in Section 1104, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities,
registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article.
The provisions of this Article Twelve shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment", and any sinking fund payment in excess of such minimum amount which is permitted to be made by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment". If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of such Securities.
SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as
specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any
series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for
such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof,
if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to
Section 1202 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so
delivered. Not less than 45 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date,
the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund
payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the
redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company
in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the
redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner
stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDERS
SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article.
Repayment of securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Thirteen.
SECTION 1302. Repayment of Securities.
Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, together with interest and/or premium, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or before the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the principal (or, if so provided by the terms of the Securities of any series, a percentage of the principal) of, the premium, if any, and (except if the Repayment Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.
SECTION 1303. Exercise of Option.
Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an "Option to Elect Repayment" form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the "Option to Elect Repayment" form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of
Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire principal amount of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the principal amount of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, the premium, if any, to be paid, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of the principal amount of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. The principal amount of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof and as provided in Sections 307(b) and 308, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.
SECTION 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.
If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article Thirteen and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, the principal amount of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest and/or premium, if any, to (but excluding) the Repayment Date; provided, however, that installments of interest, if any, whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.
If the principal amount of any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, such principal amount (together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to such Repayment Date) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such Security.
SECTION 1305. Securities Repaid in Part.
Upon surrender of any Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1401. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1402 or Section 1403 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (unless designated pursuant to Section 301 as not being defeasible pursuant to such Section 1402 or 1403), in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Fourteen. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.
SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section 1402 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section 1402 on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section 1404, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due, (2) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article Fourteen. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section 1402 applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1403 applied to such Securities.
SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
1403 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be,
(1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under any covenants
provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in
Sections 501(4) (with respect to any such covenants provided pursuant to Section
301(20), 901(2) or 901(7)), shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of
Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this
Section 1403 on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are
satisfied (hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such
Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may
omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term,
condition or limitation set forth in
any such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 501(4)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:
(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein, "U.S. Government Obligation" means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.
(2) In the event of an election to have Section 1402 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the
Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(3) In the event of an election to have Section 1403 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.
(4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit.
(5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 501(5) and (6), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).
(6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of such Act).
(7) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(8) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under the Investment Company Act or exempt from registration thereunder.
(9) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
agreement whereby the Company irrevocably agrees to forfeit its right,
if any, (A) to reset the interest rate of such Securities pursuant to
Section 307(b) and (B) to extend the Stated Maturity of such Securities
pursuant to Section 308.
(10) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
SECTION 1405. Acknowledgment of Discharge By Trustee.
Subject to Section 1407 below and after the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent referred to in Section 1404 relating to the defeasance or satisfaction and discharge, as the case may be, of this Indenture have been complied with, the Trustee upon request of the Company shall acknowledge in writing the defeasance or the satisfaction and discharge, as the case may be, of this Indenture and the discharge of the Company's obligations under this Indenture.
SECTION 1406. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all
money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited
with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this
Section 1406, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to
collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any
Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with
the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its
own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such
Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal
and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article Fourteen to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company
Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in
Section 1404 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the
amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such
Securities.
SECTION 1407. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article Fourteen with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 1402 or 1403 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Fourteen with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1406 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article Fourteen; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall
be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES
SECTION 1501. Exemption from Individual Liability.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, any Subsidiary or any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations of the Company, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers, directors, or employees, as such, of the Company, any Subsidiary or any successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of such Securities.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
By: /s/ GARY L. WHITLOCK
------------------------------------
Name: Gary L. Whitlock
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Attest:
/s/ RICHARD B. DAUPHIN
--------------------------
Name: Richard B. Dauphin
Title: Assistant Corporate Secretary
|
(SEAL)
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as Trustee
By: /s/ CAROL LOGAN
------------------------------------
Name: Carol Logan
Title: Vice President and
Trust Officer
|
(SEAL)
EXHIBIT 4.2
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
To
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
Trustee
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1
Dated as of May 19, 2003
3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1
3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE No. 1, dated as of May 19, 2003, between CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a Texas corporation (the "Company"), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as Trustee (the "Trustee").
RECITALS
The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (the "Original Indenture" and, as hereby supplemented and amended, the "Indenture"), providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of the Company's Securities.
Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of one new series of Securities to be designated as the "3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the "Notes"), the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Original Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture No. 1.
Section 301 of the Original Indenture provides that various matters with respect to any series of Securities issued under the Indenture may be established in an indenture supplemental to the Indenture.
Subparagraph (7) of Section 901 of the Original Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 of the Original Indenture.
For and in consideration of the premises and the issuance of the series of Securities provided for herein, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, as follows:
ARTICLE I
Relation to Indenture; Additional Definitions
Section 101 Relation to Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture No. 1 constitutes an integral part of the Original Indenture.
Section 102 Additional Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 1:
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning specified herein or in the Original Indenture, as the case may be;
"$3.8 Billion Credit Facility" means that certain $3,850,00,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2002, among the Company, as borrower, the banks party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administration agent, as amended by a First Amendment, effective as of December 5, 2002, and a Second Amendment, effective as of February 28, 2003, to such Credit Agreement;
"Additional Amounts" has the meaning set forth in Section 204(f) hereof;
"Affiliate" of, or a Person "affiliated" with, a specific Person means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. For purposes of this definition, "control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with") means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting shares, by contract, or otherwise.
"Beneficial Owner" shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange Act;
"Bid Solicitation Agent" has the meaning set forth in Section 212 hereof;
"Business Day" means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close. If any Interest Payment Date, Maturity Date, Redemption Date, Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date of a Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the relevant date that the payment was due and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after the Interest Payment Date, Maturity Date, Redemption Date, Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as the case may be, to the date of that payment on the next succeeding Business Day. The definition of "Business Day" in this Supplemental Indenture No. 1 and the provisions described in the preceding sentence shall supersede the definition of Business Day in the Original Indenture and Section 113 of the Original Indenture;
"Capital Lease" means a lease that, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, would be recorded as a capital lease on the balance sheet of the lessee;
"CenterPoint Houston" means CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, a Texas limited liability company;
"CERC" means CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation;
"Common Equity" of any Person means capital stock of such Person that is generally entitled to (1) vote in the election of directors of such Person or (2) if such Person is not a corporation, vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person;
"Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company;
"Company Notice" has the meaning provided in Section 701 hereof;
"Company Notice Date" has the meaning provided in Section 701 hereof;
"Contingent Interest" has the meaning provided in Section 204(a) hereof;
"Continuing Director" means a director who either was a member of the Board of Directors on May 13, 2003 or who becomes a member of the Board of Directors subsequent to that date and whose appointment, election or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders is duly approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors on the Board of Directors at the time of such approval, either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement issued by the Company on behalf of the Board of Directors in which such individual is named as nominee for director.
"Conversion Agent" means the office or agency designated by the Company where Notes may be presented for conversion;
"Conversion Date" has the meaning provided in Section 802 hereof;
"Conversion Price" means $1,000 divided by the Conversion Rate;
"Conversion Rate" has the meaning provided in Section 801 hereof;
"CPDI Regulations" has the meaning provided in Section 213 hereof;
"Distributed Assets or Securities" has the meaning provided in
Section 806(c) hereof;
"Distribution Compliance Period" means the period which expires immediately after one year following the later of: (a) the commencement of the offering of the Notes to Persons other than "distributors" (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance upon Regulation S; and (b) the last date of closing of the offering of the Notes;
"Equity Interests" means any capital stock, partnership, joint venture, member or limited liability or unlimited liability company interest, beneficial interest in a trust or similar entity or other equity interest or investment of whatever nature;
"ex-date" has the meaning provided in the definition of Spin-off Market Price.
"Fair Market Value" means the amount which a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an arm's length transaction;
A "Fundamental Change" shall be deemed to have occurred at such time after the original issuance of the Notes as any of the following occurs: (a) the Common Stock or other common stock into which the Notes are convertible is neither listed for trading on a United States national securities exchange nor approved for trading on the Nasdaq National Market or another established automated over-the-counter trading market in the United States; (b) a "person" or "group" within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan of the Company or any such Subsidiary, files a Schedule TO (or any other schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act) disclosing that such person or group has become the direct or indirect ultimate Beneficial Owner of Common Equity of the Company representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Company's Common Equity; (c) consummation of any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into Cash, securities or other property or any sale, lease or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person (other than the Company or one or more of the Company's Subsidiaries); provided, however, that a transaction where the holders of the Company's Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of all classes of Common Equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee immediately after such event shall not be a Fundamental Change; (d) Continuing Directors cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that a Fundamental Change shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of any of the foregoing if either (i) the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock for any five Trading Days within the period of 10 consecutive Trading Days ending immediately before the later of the Fundamental Change or the public announcement thereof shall equal or exceed 105% of the Conversion Price of the Notes in effect immediately before the Fundamental Change or the public announcement thereof; or (ii) at least 90% of the consideration (excluding cash payments for fractional shares) in the transaction or transactions constituting the Fundamental Change consists of shares of capital stock traded on a national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market (or which shall be so traded or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such Fundamental Change) (such securities being referred to as "Publicly Traded Securities") and as a result of such transaction or transactions the Notes become convertible into such Publicly Traded Securities (excluding cash payments for fractional shares). For purposes of the foregoing the term "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares (including ordinary shares or American Depositary Shares), interests, participations or other equivalents however designated of corporate stock or other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, of such Person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible or exchangeable into an equity interest), warrants or options to acquire an equity interest in such Person.
"Fundamental Change Purchase Date" has the meaning provided in
Section 501 hereof;
"Fundamental Change Purchase Notice" has the meaning provided in Section 503 hereof;
"Fundamental Change Purchase Price" has the meaning provided in Section 501 hereof;
"Global Notes" has the meaning set forth in Section 208(a) hereof;
The term "Indebtedness" as applied to any Person, means bonds,
debentures, notes and other instruments or arrangements representing
obligations created or assumed by any such Person, in respect of: (i)
obligations for money borrowed (other than unamortized debt discount or
premium); (ii) obligations evidenced by a note or similar instrument
given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or
assets of any kind; (iii) obligations as lessee under a Capital Lease;
and (iv) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and
refundings of any such indebtedness or obligations listed in clause
(i), (ii) or (iii) above. All indebtedness secured by a lien upon
property owned by such Person of such type, although such Person has
not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness,
shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of such
Person. All indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by any other
Persons which is directly guaranteed as to payment of principal by such
Person shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of
any such Person, but no other contingent obligation of such Person in
respect of indebtedness incurred by any other Persons shall for any
purpose be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person;
"Initial Purchasers" means Citigroup Global Markets Inc, Bank of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, Wachovia Securities, Inc., ABN AMRO Rothschild LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Commerzbank Capital Markets Corp. and RBC Dain Rauscher Inc., as initial purchasers in the offering of the Notes pursuant to the Offering Memorandum dated May 13, 2003 relating thereto;
"Interest Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof;
"Last Reported Sale Price" of Common Stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. securities exchange on which Common Stock is traded or, if the Common Stock is not listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market. If the Common Stock is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange and not reported by the Nasdaq National Market on the relevant date, the "last reported sale price" shall be the last quoted bid price for Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by the National
Quotation Bureau or similar organization. If the Common Stock is not so quoted, the "last reported sale price" will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Common Stock on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose.
"Market Price" means the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of Common Stock for the 20 Trading Day period ending on the applicable date of determination (if the applicable date of determination is a Trading Day or, if not, then on the last Trading Day prior to such applicable date of determination), appropriately adjusted to take into account the occurrence, during the period commencing on the first of the Trading Days during such 20 Trading Day period and ending on the applicable date of determination, of any event that would result in an adjustment of the Conversion Rate under this Supplemental Indenture.
"Maturity Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof;
"Non-U.S. Person" means persons other than "U.S. persons" as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act;
"Notes" has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"Option Issue Date" means the settlement date for the issuance of Option Notes (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement);
"Original Indenture" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"Original Issue Date" has the meaning provided in Section 204(a) hereof;
"Purchase Agreement" means that certain Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2003 among the Company and the Initial Purchasers which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of the Notes;
"Purchase Date" has the meaning provided in Section 601(a) hereof;
"Purchase Notice" has the meaning provided in Section 601(a)(i) hereof;
"Purchase Price" has the meaning provided in paragraph 8 of the Notes;
"Qualified Institutional Buyer" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 144A under the Securities Act;
"Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 6 of the Notes;
"Registrable Securities" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement;
"Registration Default" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement;
"Registration Rights Agreement" means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2003, by and among the Company and the Initial Purchasers;
"Regular Record Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof;
"Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act;
"Restricted Common Stock Legend" means the legend labeled as such, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit H hereof;
"Rights Plan" means that certain Rights Agreement dated January 1, 2002, between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as rights agent, as amended from time to time.
"Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement;
"Significant Subsidiary" means CERC, CenterPoint Houston and Texas Genco, and any other Subsidiary which, at the time of the creation of a pledge, mortgage, security interest or other lien upon any Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, has consolidated gross assets (having regard to the Company's beneficial interest in the shares, or the like, of that Subsidiary) that represents at least 25% of the Company's consolidated gross assets appearing in the Company's most recent audited consolidated financial statements;
"Spin-off Market Price" per share of Common Stock of the Company or the Equity Interests in a subsidiary or other business unit of the Company on any day means the average of the daily Last Reported Sale Price for the 10 consecutive Trading Days commencing on and including the fifth Trading Day after the "ex date" with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computations. As used herein, the term "ex date," when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, shall mean the first date on which the security trades regular way on the New York Stock Exchange or such other national regional exchange or market in which the security trades without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.
"Subsidiary" of any entity means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or estate of which (or in which) more than 50% of (i) the issued and outstanding Equity Interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors or comparable governing body of such corporation or entity (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency), (ii) the interest in the capital or profits of such limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other entity, or (iii) the beneficial interest in such trust or estate is at the
time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such entity, by such entity and one or more of its other Subsidiaries, or by one or more of such entity's other Subsidiaries;
"Trading Day" means (a) if the applicable security is listed, admitted for trading or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ National Market or another national security exchange, a day on which the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ National Market or another national security exchange is open for business or (b) if the applicable security is not so listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
"Texas Genco" means Texas Genco Holdings, Inc., a Texas corporation;
"Trading Price" of the Notes on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations per $1,000 principal amount of Notes obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent for $10 million principal amount of Notes at approximately 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date from three unaffiliated, nationally recognized securities dealers the Company selects, provided that if: (i) at least three such bids are not obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent, or (ii) in the Company's reasonable judgment, the bid quotations are not indicative of the secondary market value of the Notes, then the Trading Price of the Notes will equal (a) the then applicable Conversion Rate of the Notes multiplied by (b) the average Last Reported Sale Price of Common Stock for the five Trading Days ending on such determination date, appropriately adjusted to take into account the occurrence, during the period commencing on the first of such Trading Days during such five Trading Day period and ending on such determination date, of any event described in Section 806 of this Supplemental Indenture No. 1.
"Transfer Restricted Securities" means the Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement.
All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture No. 1; and
The terms "herein," "hereof," "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 1.
ARTICLE II
The Series of Securities
Section 201 Title of the Securities. The Notes shall be designated as the "3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023." The Notes shall be treated for all purposes under the Indenture as a single class or series of Securities.
Section 202 Limitation on Aggregate Principal Amount. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Notes for original issue on the Original Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000 upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery thereof and
satisfaction of Sections 301 and 303 of the Original Indenture. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Notes for original issue on the Option Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of up to $75,000,000 upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery thereof and satisfaction of Sections 301 and 303 of the Original Indenture. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be outstanding shall not exceed $575,000,000.
Section 203 Stated Maturity. The Stated Maturity of the Notes shall be May 15, 2023 (the "Maturity Date"). The principal amount of the Notes shall be payable on the Maturity Date unless the Notes are earlier redeemed, purchased or converted in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
Section 204 Interest and Interest Rates.
(a) The Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 3.75% per year, from May 19, 2003 (the "Original Issue Date") or from the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which payment has been made or duly provided for, payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning November 15, 2003 (each an "Interest Payment Date") to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on May 1 and November 1 (each a "Regular Record Date") (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. The Notes shall also provide for payment of contingent interest ("Contingent Interest") in certain circumstances as specified in paragraph 5 of the Notes.
(b) Holders of Notes at the close of business on a Regular Record Date will receive payment of interest, including Contingent Interest, if any, payable on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion of such Notes at any time after the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Notes surrendered for conversion by a Holder during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest, including Contingent Interest, if any, that the Holder is to receive on the Notes; provided, however, that no such payment need be made if (1) the Company has specified a Redemption Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the immediately following Interest Payment Date, (2) the Company has specified a Purchase Date following a Fundamental Change that is during such period or (3) any overdue interest (including overdue Contingent Interest, if any) exists at the time of conversion with respect to such Notes to the extent of such overdue interest. The Holders of the Notes and any Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof will continue to be entitled to receive Additional Amounts in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
(c) Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either (i) be paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be
fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of the Notes not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or (ii) be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.
(d) The amount of interest, including Contingent Interest, if any, payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest, including Contingent Interest, if any, payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on a Note is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest, including Contingent Interest, if any, payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable.
(e) If any principal of the Notes or any portion of such principal is not paid when due (whether upon acceleration, upon the date set for payment of the Redemption Price pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, upon the date set for payment of a Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price pursuant to paragraph 8 of the Notes or upon the Stated Maturity) or if interest (including Contingent Interest, if any) due hereon or any portion of such interest is not paid when due in accordance with paragraph 1 or paragraph 5 or 11 of the Note, then in each such case the overdue amount shall bear interest at the rate of 3.75% per annum, compounded semiannually (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which interest shall accrue from the date such overdue amount was due to the date payment of such amount, including interest thereon, has been made or duly provided for. All such interest shall be payable on demand.
(f) The interest rate borne by the Registrable Securities will be increased by .25% per annum upon the occurrence of a Registration Default, which rate will increase by an additional .25% per annum if such Registration Default has not been cured within 90 days after the occurrence thereof and will continue to increase by .25% at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured ("Additional Amounts"); provided that the aggregate amount of any such increase in the interest rate on the Registrable Securities shall in no event exceed .50% per annum. All accrued Additional Amounts shall be paid to Holders of Registrable Securities in the same manner and at the same time as regular payments of interest on the Registrable Securities. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of Additional Amounts shall cease and the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will revert to 3.75% per annum.
Section 205 Paying Agent and Conversion Agent; Place of Payment. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Paying Agent and Conversion Agent for the Notes. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts without notice, other than notice to the Trustee. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. The Place of Payment where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
Section 206 Place of Registration or Exchange; Notices and Demands With Respect to the Notes. The place where the Holders of the Notes may present the Notes for registration of transfer or exchange and may make notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
Section 207 Percentage of Principal Amount. The Notes shall be initially issued at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest, if any, from May 19, 2003.
Section 208 Global Notes.
(a) The Notes are being offered and sold to Qualified Institutional Buyers as defined in Rule 144A in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act or to Non-U.S. Persons in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act and shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent Global Securities in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form, without interest coupons (collectively, the "Global Notes").
(b) Each of the Global Notes shall represent such of the Notes as shall be specified therein and shall each provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions, purchases or conversions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount, of Notes represented thereby shall be reflected by the Trustee on Schedule A attached to the Note and made by the Trustee in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary, from the Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in the Global Note.
(c) The Depository Trust Company shall initially serve as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes. Such Global Notes shall bear the legends set forth in the form of Security attached as Exhibit A hereto.
Section 209 Form of Securities. The Global Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.
Section 210 Securities Registrar. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Security Registrar for the Notes.
Section 211 Sinking Fund Obligations. The Company shall have no obligation to redeem or purchase any Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous requirement.
Section 212 Bid Solicitation Agent. The Trustee shall initially serve as the bid solicitation agent (the "Bid Solicitation Agent") for purposes of obtaining secondary market bid quotations for determining Trading Prices. The Company may change the Bid Solicitation Agent at any time; provided, however, the Bid Solicitation Agent shall not be an Affiliate of the Company. The Bid Solicitation Agent shall solicit bids from nationally recognized securities dealers that are believed by the Company to be willing to bid for the Notes.
Section 213 Tax Treatment of Notes The Company agrees, and by
purchasing a beneficial ownership interest in the Notes each Holder, and any
person (including an entity) that acquires a direct or indirect beneficial
interest in the Notes, will be deemed to have agreed (i) for United States
federal income tax purposes to treat the Notes as Indebtedness of the Company
that is subject to the Contingent Payment Debt Instrument regulations under
Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.1275-4 (the "CPDI Regulations"), (ii) for all tax purposes to
treat the Notes as Indebtedness of the Company, (iii) for purposes of the CPDI
Regulations, to treat the fair market value of any stock beneficially received
by a beneficial holder upon any conversion of the Notes as a contingent payment,
(iv) to be bound by the Company's determination that the Notes are contingent
payment debt instruments subject to the "noncontingent bond method" of accruing
original issue discount within the meaning of the CPDI Regulations with respect
to the Notes, (v) to accrue original issue discount at the comparable yield as
determined by the Company, and (vi) to be bound by the Company's projected
payment schedule with respect to the Notes. The provisions of this Supplemental
Indenture shall be interpreted to further this intention and agreement of the
parties. The comparable yield and the schedule of projected payments are not
determined for any purpose other than for the determination of interest accruals
and adjustment thereof in respect of the Notes for United States federal income
tax purposes. The comparable yield and the schedule of projected payments do not
constitute a projection or representation regarding the future stock price or
the amounts payable on the Notes. For purposes of the foregoing, the Company's
determination of the "comparable yield" is 5.81% per annum, compounded
semiannually. A Holder of Notes may obtain the amount of original issue
discount, issue date, comparable yield and projected payment schedule (which
schedule is attached as Exhibit J) by telephoning the Company's Treasury
Department at (713) 207-7019 or submitting a written request for such
information to: CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 1111 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002,
Attention: Treasury Department.
Section 214 Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance.
(a) Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture, including without limitation, Sections 1402 and 1403 (as modified by Section 214(b) hereof) thereof, shall apply to the Notes.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 214(a), (i) the Company shall not be released from its obligations under Article VIII hereof, which obligations shall survive any defeasance and discharge under Section 1402 of the Original Indenture or covenant defeasance under Section 1403 of the Original Indenture, and (ii) the occurrence of any event specified in Section 501(4) of the Original Indenture with respect to Article VIII hereof shall be deemed to be or result in an Event of Default in accordance with the terms of Article Five of the Original Indenture.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 1403 of the Original Indenture, the occurrence of any event specified in Section 1001(d)(i) of this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default with respect to the Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 of the Original Indenture are satisfied and such covenant defeasance remains in full force and effect pursuant to Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture.
ARTICLE III
Additional Covenant
Section 301 Limitations on Liens. The Company shall not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, or grant a security interest in, or permit any such mortgage, pledge, security interest or other lien upon any Equity Interests now or hereafter owned by the Company in any Significant Subsidiary to secure any Indebtedness, without making effective provisions whereby the outstanding Notes shall be equally and ratably secured with or prior to any and all such Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness similarly entitled to be equally and ratably secured; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to or prevent the creation or existence of:
(a) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance upon the capital stock of Texas Genco to secure obligations under the $3.8 Billion Credit Facility or any extension, renewal, refunding, amendment or replacement thereof;
(b) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance upon the Equity Interests of CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company, LLC or any other special purpose Subsidiary created on or after the date of this Supplemental Indenture by the Company in connection with the issuance of securitization bonds for the economic value of generation-related regulatory assets and stranded costs;
(c) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance upon any Equity Interests in a Person which was not affiliated with the Company prior to one year before the grant of such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance (or the Equity Interests of a holding company formed to acquire or hold such Equity Interests) created at the time of the Company's acquisition of the Equity Interests or within one year after such time to secure all or a portion of the purchase price for such Equity Interests; provided that the principal amount of any Indebtedness secured by such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance does not exceed 100% of such purchase price and the fees, expenses and costs incurred in connection with such acquisition and acquisition financing;
(d) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance existing upon Equity Interests in a Person which was not affiliated with the Company prior to one year before the grant of such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance at the time of the Company's acquisition of such Equity Interests (whether or not the obligations secured thereby are assumed by the Company or such Subsidiary becomes a Significant Subsidiary); provided that (i) such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance existed at the time such Person became a Significant Subsidiary and was not created in anticipation of the acquisition, and (ii) any such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance does not by its terms secure any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness existing or committed immediately prior to the time such Person becomes a Significant Subsidiary;
(e) liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies to the extent not past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently
conducted and for which the Company has provided adequate reserves for the payment thereof in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(f) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business to secure obligations under workers' compensation laws or similar legislation;
(g) materialmen's, mechanics', carriers', workers' and repairmen's liens imposed by law and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet due or currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted;
(h) attachment, judgment or other similar liens, which have not been effectively stayed, arising in connection with court proceedings; provided that such liens, in the aggregate, shall not secure judgments which exceed $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding; provided further that the execution or enforcement of each such lien is effectively stayed within 30 days after entry of the corresponding judgment (or the corresponding judgment has been discharged within such 30 day period) and the claims secured thereby are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings timely commenced and diligently prosecuted;
(i) other liens not otherwise referred to in paragraphs (a) through (h) above, provided that the Indebtedness secured by such liens in the aggregate, shall not exceed 1% of the Company's consolidated gross assets appearing in the Company's most recent audited consolidated financial statements at any one time outstanding;
(j) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance on the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that was otherwise permitted under this Section 301 if such Subsidiary subsequently becomes a Significant Subsidiary; or
(k) any extension. renewal or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance described in paragraphs (a) through (j) above; provided that the principal amount of any such Indebtedness is not increased by an amount greater than the fees, expenses and costs incurred in connection with such extension, renewal or refunding.
ARTICLE IV
Optional Redemption of the Notes
Section 401 Right to Redeem; Notice to Trustee, Paying Agent and Holders. On or after May 15, 2008, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Notes in whole, or in part, at any time in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 6 of the Notes. If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, it shall notify in writing the Trustee, the Paying Agent and each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, as provided in Section 1104 of the Indenture and Section 404 hereof.
Section 402 Fewer Than All Outstanding Notes to Be Redeemed. If fewer than all of the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in
principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. In the case that the
Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed, the Trustee may effectuate such
selection by lot, pro rata, or by any other method that the Trustee considers
fair and appropriate. The Trustee will make such selection promptly following
receipt of the notice of redemption from the Company provided pursuant to
Section 404 hereof.
Section 403 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If any Notes selected for partial redemption are thereafter surrendered for conversion in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Notes so selected, the converted portion of such Notes shall be deemed (so far as may be), solely for purposes of determining the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed by the Company, to be the portion selected for redemption. Notes which have been converted during a selection of Notes to be redeemed may be treated by the Trustee as outstanding for the purpose of such selection. Nothing in this Section 403 shall affect the right of any Holder to convert any Notes pursuant to Article VIII hereof before the termination of the conversion right with respect thereto.
Section 404 Notice of Redemption. In addition to those matters set forth in Section 1104 of the Indenture, a notice of redemption sent to Holders of Notes shall state:
(a) the then current Conversion Rate;
(b) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent;
(c) that the Notes called for redemption may be converted at any time before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date; and
(d) that Holders who wish to convert Notes must comply with the procedures in paragraph 10 of the Notes.
Section 405 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price, except for Notes that are converted in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII hereof and paragraph 10 of the Notes. Upon presentation and surrender to the Paying Agent, Notes called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price as defined in paragraph 6 of the Notes.
Section 406 Deposit of Redemption Price. On or before 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or an Affiliate of the Company is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money sufficient to pay the aggregate Redemption Price of all the Notes to be redeemed on that date other than the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption which on or prior thereto have been delivered by the Company to the Security Registrar for cancellation or have been converted. The Trustee and Paying Agent shall, as promptly as practicable, return to the Company any money not required for that purpose because of conversion of the Notes in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII hereof. If such money is then held by the Company or a Subsidiary in trust and is not required for such purpose, it shall be discharged from such trust.
ARTICLE V
Purchase Upon a Fundamental Change
Section 501 Purchase at the Option of the Holder Upon a Fundamental Change. If a Fundamental Change shall occur at any time prior to May 15, 2008, each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder's option, to require the Company to purchase any or all of such Holder's Notes for cash on the date that is no later than 35 days after the date of the Company Notice of the occurrence of such Fundamental Change (subject to extension to comply with applicable law, as provided in Section 704) (the "Fundamental Change Purchase Date"). The Notes shall be repurchased in integral multiples of $1,000 of the principal amount. The Company shall purchase such Notes at a price (the "Fundamental Change Purchase Price") equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the Fundamental Change Purchase Date. No Notes may be purchased at the option of the Holders upon a Fundamental Change if there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default that is cured by the payment of the Fundamental Change Purchase Price of the Notes).
Section 502 Notice of Fundamental Change. The Company, or at its request (which must be received by the Paying Agent at least three Business Days (or such lesser period as agreed to by the Paying Agent) prior to the date the Paying Agent is requested to give such notice as described below), the Paying Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Company, shall mail to all Holders and the Trustee and the Paying Agent a Company Notice of the occurrence of a Fundamental Change and of the purchase right arising as a result thereof, including the information required by Section 701 hereof, on or before the 30th day after the occurrence of such Fundamental Change.
Section 503 Exercise of Option. For a Note to be so purchased at the option of the Holder, the Paying Agent must receive such Note duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written notice of purchase (a "Fundamental Change Purchase Notice") and the form entitled "Form of Fundamental Change Purchase Notice" on the reverse thereof duly completed, on or before the 35th day after the date of the Company Notice of the occurrence of such Fundamental Change, subject to extension to comply with applicable law. The Fundamental Change Purchase Notice shall state:
(a) if certificated, the certificate numbers of the Notes which the Holder shall deliver to be purchased, or, if not certificated, the Fundamental Change Purchase Notice must comply with appropriate Depositary procedures;
(b) the portion of the principal amount of the Notes which the Holder shall deliver to be purchased, which portion must be $1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof; and
(c) that such Notes shall be purchased as of the Fundamental Change Purchase Date pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in paragraph 8 of the Notes and in this Supplemental Indenture.
Section 504 Procedures. The Company shall purchase from a Holder, pursuant to Article V hereof, Notes if the principal amount of such Notes is $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000 if so requested by such Holder.
Any purchase by the Company contemplated pursuant to the provisions of Article V hereof shall be consummated by the delivery of the Fundamental Change Purchase Price to be received by the Holder promptly following the later of the Fundamental Change Purchase Date or the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of the Notes.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering
to the Paying Agent the Fundamental Change Purchase Notice contemplated by
Section 503 shall have the right at any time prior to the close of business on
the Business Day prior to the Fundamental Change Purchase Date to withdraw such
Fundamental Change Purchase Notice (in whole or in part) by delivery of a
written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 702.
The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Fundamental Change Purchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.
On or before 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or an Affiliate of the Company is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the aggregate Fundamental Change Purchase Price of the Notes to be purchased pursuant to Article V hereof. Payment by the Paying Agent of the Fundamental Change Purchase Price for such Notes shall be made promptly following the later of the Fundamental Change Purchase Date or the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of such Notes. If the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, money sufficient to pay the Fundamental Change Purchase Price of such Notes on the Business Day following the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, then, on and after such date, such Notes shall cease to be outstanding and interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any) on such Notes shall cease to accrue, whether or not book-entry transfer of such Notes is made or such Notes are delivered to the Paying Agent, and all other rights of the Holder shall terminate (other than the right to receive the Fundamental Change Purchase Price upon delivery or transfer of the Notes). Nothing herein shall preclude any withholding tax required by law.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of the Fundamental Change Purchase Price and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or an Affiliate of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to deliver all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the cash delivered to the Trustee.
All questions as to the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any Notes for redemption shall be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final and binding.
ARTICLE VI
Optional Purchase
Section 601 Purchase of Notes by the Company at the Option of the Holder.
(a) On each of May 15, 2008, May 15, 2013 and May 15, 2018 (each, a "Purchase Date"), Holders shall have the option to require the Company to purchase any Notes at the Purchase Price specified in paragraph 8 of the Notes, upon:
(i) delivery to the Paying Agent by the Holder of a written notice of purchase (a "Purchase Notice") at any time from the opening of business on the date that is 20 Business Days prior to a Purchase Date until the close of business on the fifth Business Day prior to such Purchase Date, stating:
(1) if certificated, the certificate numbers of the Notes which the Holder will deliver to be purchased, or, if not certificated, the Purchase Notice must comply with appropriate Depositary procedures;
(2) the portion of the principal amount of the Notes which the Holder will deliver to be purchased, which portion must be $1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof; and
(3) that such Notes shall be purchased as of the Purchase Date pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in paragraph 8 of the Notes and in this Supplemental Indenture; and
(ii) delivery or book-entry transfer of such Notes to the Paying Agent prior to, on or after the Purchase Date (together with all necessary endorsements) at the offices of the Paying Agent, such delivery or transfer being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Purchase Price therefor; provided, however, that such Purchase Price shall be so paid pursuant to this Section 601 only if the Notes so delivered or transferred to the Paying Agent shall conform in all respects to the description thereof in the related Purchase Notice.
(b) The Company shall purchase from a Holder, pursuant to the terms of this Section 601, Notes if the principal amount of such Notes is $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000 if so requested by such Holder.
(c) Any purchase by the Company contemplated pursuant to the provisions of this Section 601 shall be consummated by the delivery of the Purchase Price to be received by the Holder promptly following the later of the Purchase Date or the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of the Notes.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the Paying Agent the Purchase Notice contemplated by this Section 601 shall have the right at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Purchase Date to withdraw such Purchase Notice (in whole or in part) by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 702.
(e) The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Purchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.
(f) On or before 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Purchase Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or an Affiliate of the Company is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the aggregate Purchase Price of the Notes to be purchased pursuant to this Section 601. Payment by the Paying Agent of the Purchase Price for such Notes shall be made promptly following the later of the Purchase Date or the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of such Notes. If the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, money sufficient to pay the Purchase Price of such Notes on the Business Day following the Purchase Date, then, on and after such date, such Notes shall cease to be outstanding and interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any) on such Notes shall cease to accrue, whether or not book-entry transfer of such Notes is made or such Notes are delivered to the Paying Agent, and all other rights of the Holder shall terminate (other than the right to receive the Purchase Price upon delivery or transfer of the Notes).
(g) The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of the Purchase Price and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or an Affiliate of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to deliver all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the cash delivered to the Trustee.
ARTICLE VII
Conditions and Procedures for Purchases at Option of Holders
Section 701 Notice of Purchase Date or Fundamental Change. The Company shall send notices (each, a "Company Notice") to the Holders (and to beneficial owners as required by applicable law) at their addresses shown in the Security Register maintained by the Security Registrar, and delivered to the Trustee and Paying Agent, not less than 20 Business Days prior to each Purchase Date, or on or before the 30th day after the occurrence of the Fundamental Change, as the case may be (each such date of delivery, a "Company Notice Date"). Each Company Notice shall include a form of Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice to be completed by a Holder and shall state:
(a) the applicable Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price, excluding accrued and unpaid interest, Conversion Rate at the time of such notice (and any adjustments to the Conversion Rate) and, to the extent known at the time of such notice, the amount of interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any), if any, that will be payable with respect to the Notes on the applicable Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date;
(b) if the notice relates to a Fundamental Change, the events causing the Fundamental Change and the date of the Fundamental Change;
(c) the Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date;
(d) the last date on which a Holder may exercise its purchase right;
(e) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent;
(f) that Notes must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect payment of the Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price;
(g) that Notes as to which a Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been given may be converted only if the applicable Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been withdrawn in accordance with the terms of this Supplemental Indenture;
(h) that the Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price for any Notes as to which a Purchase Notice or a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as applicable, has been given and not withdrawn shall be paid by the Paying Agent promptly following the later of the Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as applicable, or the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of such Notes;
(i) the procedures the Holder must follow under Article V or VI hereof, as applicable, and Article VII hereof;
(j) briefly, the conversion rights of the Notes;
(k) that, unless the Company defaults in making payment of such Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price on Notes covered by any Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as applicable, interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any) will cease to accrue on and after the Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as applicable;
(l) the CUSIP or ISIN number of the Notes; and
(m) the procedures for withdrawing a Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice.
In connection with providing such Company Notice, the Company will issue a press release and publish a notice containing the information in such Company Notice in a newspaper
of general circulation in The City of New York or publish such information on the Company's then existing Web site or through such other public medium as the Company may use at the time.
At the Company's request, made at least five Business Days prior to the date upon which such notice is to be mailed, and at the Company's expense, the Paying Agent shall give the Company Notice in the Company's name; provided, however, that, in all cases, the text of the Company Notice shall be prepared by the Company.
Section 702 Effect of Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase
Notice; Effect of Event of Default. Upon receipt by the Company of the Purchase
Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice specified in Section 601 or Section
503, as applicable, the Holder of the Notes in respect of which such Purchase
Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the case may be, was given
shall (unless such Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice is
withdrawn as specified in the following two paragraphs) thereafter be entitled
to receive solely the Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price with
respect to such Notes. Such Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price
shall be paid by the Paying Agent to such Holder promptly following the later of
(x) the Purchase Date or the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as the case may
be, with respect to such Notes (provided the conditions in Section 601 or
Section 503, as applicable, have been satisfied) and (y) the time of delivery or
book-entry transfer of such Notes to the Paying Agent by the Holder thereof in
the manner required by Section 601 or Section 503, as applicable. Notes in
respect of which a Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the
case may be, has been given by the Holder thereof may not be converted for
shares of Common Stock on or after the date of the delivery of such Purchase
Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the case may be, unless such
Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the case may be, has
first been validly withdrawn as specified in the following two paragraphs.
A Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the case may be, may be withdrawn by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the office of the Paying Agent at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day prior to the Purchase Date or the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as the case may be, to which it relates specifying:
(a) if certificated, the certificate number of the Notes in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, or, if not certificated, the written notice of withdrawal must comply with appropriate Depositary procedures;
(b) the principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted; and
(c) the principal amount, if any, of such Notes which remains subject to the original Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the case may be, and which has been or shall be delivered for purchase by the Company.
There shall be no purchase of any Notes pursuant to Article V or Article VI hereof if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (other than a default that is cured by the payment of the Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price, as the case may be). The
Paying Agent shall promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any Notes
(x) with respect to which a Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase
Notice, as the case may be, has been withdrawn in compliance with this
Supplemental Indenture, or (y) held by it during the continuance of an Event of
Default (other than a default that is cured by the payment of the Purchase Price
or Fundamental Change Purchase Price, as the case may be) in which case, upon
such return, the Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice with
respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
Section 703 Notes Purchased in Part. Any Notes that are to be purchased only in part shall be surrendered at the office of the Paying Agent (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Notes, without service charge, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the portion of the principal amount of the Notes so surrendered which is not purchased or redeemed.
Section 704 Covenant to Comply with Securities Laws Upon Purchase of Notes. In connection with any offer to purchase Notes under Article V or Article VI hereof, the Company shall, to the extent applicable, (a) comply with Rules 13e-4 and 14e-1 (and any successor provisions thereto) under the Exchange Act, if applicable; (b) file the related Schedule TO (or any successor schedule, form or report) under the Exchange Act, if applicable; and (c) otherwise comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws so as to permit the rights and obligations under Article V or Article VI hereof to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in Article V or Article VI hereof.
Section 705 Repayment to the Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall return to the Company any cash or property that remains unclaimed as provided in paragraph 14 of the Notes, together with interest that the Trustee or Paying Agent, as the case may be, has agreed to pay, if any, held by them for the payment of a Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price, as the case may be; provided, however, that to the extent that the aggregate amount of cash or property deposited by the Company pursuant to Section 601(f) or 504, as applicable, exceeds the aggregate Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price, as the case may be, of the Notes or portions thereof which the Company is obligated to purchase as of the Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as the case may be, then promptly on and after the Business Day following the Purchase Date or Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as the case may be, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall return any such excess to the Company together with interest that the Trustee or Paying Agent, as the case may be, has agreed to pay, if any.
Section 706 Officers' Certificate. At least five Business Days before the Company Notice Date, the Company shall deliver an Officers' Certificate to the Trustee (provided, that at the Company's option, the matters to be addressed in such Officers' Certificate may be divided among two such certificates) specifying:
(a) the manner of payment selected by the Company; and
(b) whether the Company desires the Trustee to give the Company Notice required by Section 701 herein.
ARTICLE VIII
Conversion of Notes
Section 801 Right to Convert. A Holder may convert its Notes for Common Stock at any time during which the conditions stated in paragraph 10 of the Notes are met. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a Note per $1,000 principal amount (the "Conversion Rate") shall be that set forth in paragraph 10 in the Notes, subject to adjustment as herein set forth. The initial Conversion Rate is 86.3558 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a Convertible Note per $1,000 principal amount.
A Holder may convert a portion of the principal amount of Notes if the portion is $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000.
Section 802 Conversion Procedures. To convert Notes, a Holder must satisfy the requirements in this Section 802 and in paragraph 10 of the Notes. The date on which the Holder satisfies all those requirements is the conversion date (the "Conversion Date"). As soon as practicable, but in no event later than the fifth Business Day following the Conversion Date, the Company shall deliver to the Holder, through the Conversion Agent, a certificate for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion and cash in lieu of any fractional share determined pursuant to Section 803. The Person in whose name the certificate is registered shall be treated as a stockholder of record on and after the Conversion Date; provided, however, that no surrender of Notes on any date when the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed shall be effective to constitute the Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock upon such conversion as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on such date, but such surrender shall be effective to constitute the Person or Persons entitled to receive such shares of Common Stock as the record holder or holders thereof for all purposes at the close of business on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open; such conversion shall be at the Conversion Rate in effect on the date that such Notes shall have been surrendered for conversion, as if the stock transfer books of the Company had not been closed. Upon conversion of Notes, such Person shall no longer be a Holder of such Notes.
No payment or adjustment shall be made for dividends on or other distributions with respect to any Common Stock except as provided in Section 806 or as otherwise provided in this Indenture.
On conversion of Notes, that portion of accrued interest including accrued Contingent Interest, if any, with respect to the converted Notes shall not be canceled, extinguished or forfeited, but rather shall be deemed to be paid in full to the Holder thereof through delivery of the Common Stock (together with the cash payment, if any, in lieu of fractional shares) in exchange for the Notes being converted pursuant to the provisions hereof, and the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock (together with any such cash payment in lieu of fractional shares) shall be treated as issued, to the extent thereof, first in exchange for interest
accrued and unpaid through the Conversion Date and accrued and unpaid Contingent Interest, and the balance, if any, of such Fair Market Value of such Common Stock (and any such cash payment) shall be treated as issued in exchange for the principal amount of the Notes being converted pursuant to the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding conversion of any Notes, the Holders of the Notes and any Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof will continue to be entitled to receive Additional Amounts in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
If a Holder converts more than one Note at the same time, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion shall be based on the total principal amount of the Notes converted.
Upon surrender of a Note that is converted in part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder, a new Note in an authorized denomination equal in principal amount to the unconverted portion of the Note surrendered.
If the last day on which Notes may be converted is a legal holiday in a place where a Conversion Agent is located, the Notes may be surrendered to that Conversion Agent on the next succeeding day that it is not a legal holiday.
Section 803 Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares. The Company shall not issue a fractional share of Common Stock upon conversion of Notes. Instead the Company shall deliver cash for the current market value of the fractional share. The current market value of a fractional share shall be determined to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share by multiplying the Last Reported Sale Price of a full share of Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Conversion Date by the fractional amount and rounding the product to the nearest whole cent.
Section 804 Taxes on Conversion. If a Holder converts Notes, the Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion. However, the Holder shall pay any such tax which is due because the Holder requests the shares to be issued in a name other than the Holder's name. The Conversion Agent may refuse to deliver the certificates representing the Common Stock being issued in a name other than the Holder's name until the Conversion Agent receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax which shall be due because the shares are to be issued in a name other than the Holder's name. Nothing herein shall preclude any withholding tax required by law.
Section 805 Covenants of the Company. The Company shall, prior to issuance of any Notes hereunder, and from time to time as may be necessary, reserve out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to permit the conversion of the Notes.
All shares of Common Stock delivered upon conversion of the Notes shall be newly issued shares or treasury shares, shall be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable and shall be free from preemptive rights and free of any lien or adverse claim.
The Company shall endeavor promptly to comply with all federal and state securities laws regulating the order and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of Notes, if any, and shall cause to have listed or quoted all such shares of Common Stock on each United States national securities exchange or over-the-counter or other domestic market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted.
Section 806 Adjustments to Conversion Rate. The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time, without duplication, as follows:
(a) In case the Company shall (i) pay a dividend, or make a
distribution, exclusively in shares of its capital stock, on the Common Stock;
(ii) subdivide its outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares;
(iii) combine its outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares; or
(iv) reclassify its Common Stock, the Conversion Rate in effect immediately
prior to the record date or effective date, as the case may be, for the
adjustment pursuant to this Section 806(a) as described below, shall be adjusted
so that the Holder of any Notes thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be
entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company which
such Holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive after the
happening of any of the events described above had such Notes been converted
immediately prior to such record date or effective date, as the case may be. An
adjustment made pursuant to this Section 806(a) shall become effective
immediately after the applicable record date in the case of a dividend or
distribution and shall become effective immediately after the applicable
effective date in the case of subdivision, combination or reclassification of
the Company's Common Stock. If any dividend or distribution of the type
described in clause (i) above is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall
again be adjusted to the Conversion Rate which would then be in effect if such
dividend or distribution had not been declared.
(b) In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of the Common Stock entitling them (for a period expiring within 60 days after the date of issuance of such rights or warrants) to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock at a price per share less than the Market Price per share of Common Stock on the record date fixed for determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after such record date shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the Conversion Rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after such record date by a fraction of which (i) the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase, and (ii) the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares so offered would purchase at the Market Price per share of Common Stock on the earlier of such record date or the Trading Day immediately preceding the ex date for such issuance of rights or warrants. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such rights or warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate which would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion
Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate which would then be in effect if such record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants had not been fixed. In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than such Market Price, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights or warrants, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.
(c) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise,
distribute to all holders of Common Stock any assets, debt securities or rights
or warrants to purchase any of its securities (excluding (i) any dividend,
distribution or issuance covered by those referred to in Section 806(a) or
806(b) hereof, (ii) any dividend or distribution paid exclusively in cash, and
(iii) all distributions of common stock of Reliant Resources, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, or of Texas Genco made by the Company prior to the date of this
Supplemental Indenture) (any of the foregoing hereinafter in this Section 806(c)
called the "Distributed Assets or Securities") in an aggregate amount per share
of Common Stock that, combined together with the aggregate amount of any other
such distributions to all holders of its Common Stock made within the 12 months
preceding the date of payment of such distribution, and in respect of which no
adjustment pursuant to this Section 806(c) has been made, exceeds 15% of the
Market Price on the Trading Day immediately preceding the declaration of such
distribution, then, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted so that the same shall
equal the Conversion Rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in
effect immediately prior to the close of business on the record date mentioned
below by a fraction of which (A) the numerator shall be the Market Price per
share of the Common Stock on the earlier of such record date or the Trading Day
immediately preceding the ex date for such dividend or distribution, and (B) the
denominator shall be (1) the Market Price per share of the Common Stock on the
earlier of such record date or the Trading Day immediately preceding the ex date
for such dividend or distribution less (2) the Fair Market Value on the earlier
of such record date or the Trading Day immediately preceding the ex date for
such dividend or distribution (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose
determination shall be conclusive, and described in a certificate filed with the
Trustee and the Paying Agent) of the Distributed Assets or Securities so
distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock. Such adjustment shall
become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of
shareholders entitled to receive such distribution; provided, however, that, if
(i) the Fair Market Value of the portion of the Distributed Assets or Securities
so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is equal to or greater
than the Market Price of the Common Stock on the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to receive such distribution or (ii) the
Market Price of the Common Stock on the record date for the determination of
shareholders entitled to receive such distribution is greater than the Fair
Market Value per share of such Distributed Assets or Securities by less than
$1.00, then, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be
made so that each Holder shall have the right to receive upon conversion, in
addition to the shares of Common Stock, the kind and amount of assets, debt
securities, or rights or warrants comprising the Distributed Assets or
Securities the Holder would have received had such Holder converted such Notes
immediately prior to the record date for the determination of shareholders
entitled to receive such distribution. In the event that such distribution is
not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to the
Conversion Rate which would then be in effect if such distribution had not been
declared.
(d) In case the Company shall make (i) any distributions, by dividend or otherwise, during any quarterly fiscal periods consisting exclusively of cash to all holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock in an aggregate amount that, together with (ii) other all-cash distributions made to all holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock during such quarterly fiscal period, and (iii) any cash and the Fair Market Value, as of the expiration of any tender or exchange offer (other than consideration payable in respect of any odd-lot tender offer) of consideration payable in respect of any tender or exchange offer by the Company or any of the Company's Subsidiaries for all or any portion of shares of Common Stock concluded during such quarterly fiscal period, exceed the product of $0.10 (appropriately adjusted from time to time for any stock dividends on or subdivisions or combinations of the Common Stock) multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date for such distribution, then, and in each such case, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the Conversion Rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the record date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction of which (A) the numerator shall be the Market Price per share of the Common Stock on the earlier of such record date or the Trading Day immediately preceding the ex date for such dividend or distribution and (B) the denominator shall be (1) the Market Price per share of Common Stock on the earlier of such record date or the Trading Day immediately preceding the ex date for such dividend or distribution plus (2) $0.10 (appropriately adjusted from time to time for any stock dividends on or subdivisions or combination of Common Stock) less (3) an amount equal to the quotient of (x) the combined amount distributed or payable in the transactions described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above during such quarterly fiscal period and (y) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date, such adjustment to become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such distribution.
(e) With respect to Section 806(c) above, in the event that the Company makes any distribution to all holders of Common Stock consisting of Equity Interests in a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the Conversion Rate determined by multiplying the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the record date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction of which (i) the numerator shall be (x) the Spin-off Market Price per share of the Common Stock on such record date plus (y) the Spin-off Market Price per Equity Interest of the Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company on such record date and (ii) the denominator shall be the Spin-off Market Price per share of the Common Stock on such record date, such adjustment to become effective 10 Trading Days after the effective date of such distribution of Equity Interests in a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company.
(f) Upon conversion of the Notes, the Holders shall receive, in addition to the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, the rights issued under the Rights Plan or under any future shareholder rights plan the Company implements (notwithstanding the occurrence of an event causing such rights to separate from the Common Stock at or prior to the time of conversion) unless, prior to conversion, the rights have expired, terminated or been redeemed or exchanged in accordance with the Rights Plan. If, and only if, the Holders of Notes receive rights under such shareholder rights plans as described in the preceding sentence upon
conversion of their Notes, then no other adjustment pursuant to this Section 806 shall be made in connection with such shareholder rights plans.
(g) For purposes of this Section 806, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Company shall not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company.
(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the
Conversion Rate exceed the maximum conversion rate specified under this Section
806(h) (the "Maximum Conversion Rate") as a result of an adjustment pursuant to
Section 806(c) and Section 806(d) hereof. The Maximum Conversion Rate shall
initially be 129.5337 and shall be appropriately adjusted from time to time for
any stock dividends on or subdivisions or combinations of the Common Stock. The
Maximum Conversion Rate shall not apply to any adjustments made pursuant to any
of the events in Section 806(a) or Section 806(b) hereof.
Section 807 Calculation Methodology. No adjustment in the Conversion Price need be made unless the adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Conversion Price then in effect, provided that any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. Except as stated in this Article VIII, the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing. Any adjustments that are made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under Article VII, Section 806 and this Section 807 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share, as the case may be.
Section 808 When No Adjustment Required. No adjustment to the Conversion Rate need be made:
(a) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on securities of the Company and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;
(b) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(c) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right, or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in paragraph (b) above and outstanding as of the date of this Supplemental Indenture;
(d) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to warrants granted in connection with the Company's $3.8 Billion Credit Facility;
(e) for a change in the par value or no par value of the Common Stock; or
(f) for accrued and unpaid interest (including Contingent Interest or Additional Amount, if any).
To the extent the Notes become convertible into cash, assets, or property (other than capital stock of the Company or securities to which Section 812 applies), no adjustment shall be made thereafter as to the cash, assets or property. Interest shall not accrue on such cash.
Section 809 Notice of Adjustment. Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted, the Company shall promptly mail to Holders a notice of the adjustment. The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Conversion Agent such notice. The certificate shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive evidence that the adjustment is correct. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any duty or responsibility with respect to any such certificate except to exhibit the same to any Holder desiring inspection thereof.
Section 810 Voluntary Increase. The Company may make such increases in the Conversion Rate, in addition to those required by Section 806, as the Board of Directors considers to be advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company may from time to time increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for any period of time if the period is at least 20 days, the increase is irrevocable during the period and the Board of Directors shall have made a determination that such increase would be in the best interests of the Company, which determination shall be conclusive. Whenever the Conversion Rate is so increased, the Company shall mail to Holders and file with the Trustee and the Conversion Agent a notice of such increase. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any duty or responsibility with respect to any such notice except to exhibit the same to any Holder desiring inspection thereof. The Company shall mail the notice at least 15 days before the date the increased Conversion Rate takes affect. The notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period it shall be in effect.
Section 811 Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions. In case:
(a) The Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on its Common Stock that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 806;
(b) The Company shall authorize the granting to all or substantially all the holders of its Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any share of any class or any other rights or warrants;
(c) Of any reclassification or reorganization of the Common Stock of the Company (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding Common Stock, or a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value), or of any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party and for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(d) Of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company,
the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and to be mailed to each Holder at its address appearing on the Security Register, as promptly as possible but in any event at least 15 days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, or rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, reorganization, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, reorganization, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such dividend, distribution, reclassification, reorganization, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.
Section 812 Effect of Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger, Binding Share Exchange or Sale. If any of the following events occur, namely (a) any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination); (b) any consolidation, merger, combination or binding share exchange of the Company with another corporation as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock; or (c) any sale or conveyance of the properties and assets of the Company as, or substantially as, an entirety to any other corporation as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock, then the Company or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, shall execute with the Trustee a Supplemental Indenture, providing that each Note shall be convertible into the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities or property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, binding share exchange, sale or conveyance by a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Note immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, binding share exchange, sale or conveyance. Such Supplemental Indenture shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Section 812.
The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such Supplemental Indenture to be mailed to each Holder, at its address appearing on the Security Register, within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.
The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, changes, consolidations, mergers, combinations, binding share exchanges, sales and conveyances.
If this Section 812 applies to any event or occurrence, Section 806 shall not apply.
Section 813 Responsibility of Trustee. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to either calculate the Conversion Rate or determine whether any facts exist which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same and shall be protected in relying upon an Officers' Certificate with respect to the same. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities or property, which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Notes and the Trustee and any other Conversion Agent make no representations with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Article Five of the Original Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Notes for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Section. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any Supplemental Indenture entered into pursuant to Article VIII hereof relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in such Section 812 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but, subject to the provisions of Article Five of the Original Indenture, may accept as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officers' Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to file with the Trustee prior to the execution of any such supplemental indenture) with respect thereto.
Section 814 Simultaneous Adjustments. In the event that Section 806
requires adjustments to the Conversion Rate under more than one of Sections
806(a), (b), (c) or (d), and the Record Dates for the distributions giving rise
to such adjustments shall occur on the same date, then such adjustments shall be
made by applying, first, the provisions of Section 806(c), second, the
provisions of Section 806(a) and third, the provisions of Section 806(b);
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 814 shall be done to evade the
principle set forth in Section 806(h) hereof that the Maximum Conversion Rate
shall not apply to any adjustments made with respect to any of the events in
Section 806(a) or Section 806(b) hereof.
Section 815 Successive Adjustments. After an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under Section 806, any subsequent event requiring an adjustment under Section 806 shall cause an adjustment to the Conversion Rate as so adjusted.
Section 816 General Considerations. Whenever successive adjustments to the Conversion Rate are called for pursuant to Article VIII hereof, such adjustments shall be made to the Market Price as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the intent of Article VIII hereof and to avoid unjust or inequitable results as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX
Restrictions on Transfer
Section 901 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Notes in Definitive Form. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 305 of the Original Indenture, Notes in definitive form that are Transfer Restricted Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to Section 305 of the Original Indenture shall be accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable, upon which the Security Registrar may conclusively rely:
(i) if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being delivered to the Security Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto); or
(ii) if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being transferred (1) to a Qualified Institutional Buyer in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or (2) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company or the Trustee so requests) or (3) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certification to that effect from such Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto); or
(iii) if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, certifications to that effect from such transferor (in substantially the form of Exhibits B and C hereto) and an opinion of counsel to that effect if the Company or the Trustee so requests; or
(iv) if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, a certification to that effect from such Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto) and an opinion of counsel to that effect if the Company or the Trustee so requests.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of the Notes.
(i) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with Section 305 of the Original Indenture and Article IX hereof (including the restrictions on transfer set forth therein and herein) and the rules and procedures of the Depositary therefor, which shall include restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth therein and herein to the extent required by the Securities Act.
(ii) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein for certificated notes (or vice versa) shall be effected through the Trustee and the Depositary, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 305 of the Original Indenture and Article IX hereof (including the restrictions on transfer set forth therein and herein) and the rules and procedures of the Depositary therefor, which shall include restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth therein and herein to the extent required by the Securities Act.
Section 902 Legends.
(a) Except as permitted by Section 902(b) hereof, each certificate evidencing the Global Notes or certificated notes in definitive form (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION HEREOF MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY
THAT (A) THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION
HEREOF MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED,
ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY
BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS
OF RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR
(IV) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO,
NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT SUCH HOLDER WILL NOT ENGAGE IN HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION HEREOF UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.
THIS SECURITY AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTATION MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME TO MODIFY THE RESTRICTIONS ON AND PROCEDURES FOR RESALES AND OTHER TRANSFERS OF THIS SECURITY TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION (OR THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF) OR IN PRACTICES RELATING TO THE RESALE OR TRANSFER OF RESTRICTED SECURITIES GENERALLY. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY SHALL BE DEEMED BY THE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS SECURITY TO HAVE AGREED TO ANY SUCH AMENDMENT OR SUPPLEMENT.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO, AND ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF, A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MAY 19, 2003 ENTERED INTO BY THE COMPANY FOR THE BENEFIT OF CERTAIN HOLDERS OF SECURITIES FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE HOLDER OF THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO, AND ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF, A RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JANUARY 1, 2002, BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS RIGHTS AGENT.
Each certificate evidencing the Global Notes also shall bear the legend specified for Global Notes in the form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(b) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security
(including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Note)
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, which shall be certified to the Trustee and
Security Registrar upon which each may conclusively rely:
(i) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a certificated note, the Security Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a certificated note that does not bear the legend set forth in Section 902(a) hereof and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security; and
(ii) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Note, such Transfer Restricted Security shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in Section 902(a) hereof if all other interests in such Global Note have been or are concurrently being sold or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
Section 903 Registration Rights Agreement.
The Company shall perform its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and shall comply in all material respects with the terms and conditions contained therein including, without limitation, the payment of Additional Amounts.
Section 904 Restriction on Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion.
(a) Shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of Notes prior to the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement shall be physically delivered in certificated form to the Holders converting such Notes and the certificate representing such shares of Common Stock shall bear the Restricted Common Stock Legend unless removed in accordance with Section 904(c).
(b) If (i) shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of Notes prior to the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement are to be registered in a name other than that of the Holder of such Notes or (ii) shares of Common Stock represented by a certificate bearing the Restricted Common Stock Legend are transferred subsequently by such Holder, then, unless the Shelf Registration Statement has become effective and such shares are being transferred pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, the Holder must deliver to the transfer agent for the Common Stock and to the Company a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit I as to compliance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to such shares of Common Stock and neither the transfer agent nor the registrar for the Common Stock shall be required to register any transfer of such Common Stock not so accompanied by a properly completed certificate.
(c) Except in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, if certificates representing shares of Common Stock are issued upon the registration of transfer, exchange or replacement of any other certificate representing shares of Common Stock bearing the Restricted Common Stock Legend, or if a request is made to remove such Restricted Common Stock Legend from certificates representing shares of Common Stock, the certificates so issued shall bear the Restricted Common Stock Legend, or the Restricted Common Stock Legend shall not be removed, as the case may be, unless there is delivered to the Company such reasonably satisfactory evidence, which, in the case of a transfer made pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, may include an opinion of counsel, as may be reasonably required by the Company, that neither the legend nor the restrictions on transfer set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof comply with the provisions of Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933 and that such shares of Common Stock are securities that are not "restricted" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. Upon provision to the Company of such reasonably satisfactory evidence, the Company shall cause the transfer agent for the Common Stock to countersign and deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock that do not bear the legend.
Section 905 Delivery of Certain Information. At any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, upon the request of a Holder or any beneficial holder of Notes or shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof, the Company will promptly furnish or cause to be furnished Rule 144A Information (as defined below) to such Holder or any beneficial holder of Notes or holder of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Notes, or to a prospective purchaser of any such security designated by any such holder, as the case may be, to the extent required to permit compliance by such Holder or holder with Rule 144A under the Securities Act in connection with the resale of any such security. "Rule 144A Information" shall be such information as is specified pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
ARTICLE X
Remedies; Modification and Waiver
Section 1001 Additional Events of Default; Acceleration of Maturity.
(a) Solely with respect to the Notes issued hereby, Section 501(1) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:
"(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series, including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any, when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;"
(b) Solely with respect of the Notes issued hereby, Section 501(5) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:
"(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston or of any substantial part of its respective property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its respective affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; provided that any specified event in (A), (B) or (C) involving CERC or CenterPoint Houston shall not constitute
an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC or CenterPoint Houston, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or"
(c) Solely with respect to the Notes issued hereby, Section 501(6) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:
"(6) the commencement by the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by any of them to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against any of them, or the filing by any of them of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by any of them to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston or of any substantial part of their respective property, or the making by any of them of an assignment of a substantial part of their respective property for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by any of them in writing of the inability of any of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston to pay their respective debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in furtherance of any such action; provided that any such specified event involving CERC or CenterPoint Houston shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC or CenterPoint Houston, as the case may be shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or"
(d) Solely with respect to the Notes issued hereby, and pursuant to Section 501(7) of the Original Indenture, the following shall each constitute an "Event of Default" in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:
"(i) The default by the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in a scheduled payment at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, in the aggregate principal amount of $50 million or more, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of any Indebtedness or the acceleration of any Indebtedness of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in such aggregate
principal amount, so that it becomes due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable and such payment default is not cured or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after notice to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indebtedness; provided that such payment default or acceleration of CERC or CenterPoint Houston shall not to be an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC or CenterPoint Houston, as the case may be, shall not be an Affiliate of the Company;
(ii) The Company defaults in its obligation to redeem the Notes after exercising its redemption option pursuant to Article IV hereof;
(iii) The Company defaults in its obligation to convert the Notes upon exercise of a Holder's conversion right in accordance with the terms of the Notes and Article VIII hereof; and
(iv) The Company defaults in its obligation to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change or the exercise by a Holder of its option to require the Company to repurchase such Holder's Notes in accordance with the terms of Article V or Article VI hereof, as applicable.
Section 1002 Modification and Waiver. In addition to those matters set forth in Section 902 of the Indenture (including the terms and conditions of the Notes set forth herein), with respect to the Notes, no amendment or Supplemental Indenture shall without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected thereby:
(a) Reduce the Redemption Price, Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price of the Notes;
(b) Change the terms applicable to redemption or purchase of the Notes in a manner adverse to the Holder;
(c) Alter the manner of calculation or rate of Contingent Interest or Additional Amounts payable on any Note or extend the time for payment of any such amount.
In addition, with respect to the Notes, notwithstanding Sections 513 and 1006 of the Original Indenture, approval of the Holders of each outstanding Note shall be required to:
(a) Waive any default by the Company in any payment of the Redemption Price, Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price with respect to any Notes; or
(b) Waive any default which constitutes a failure to convert any Note in accordance with its terms and the terms of Article VIII hereof.
The reference to "interest" in Section 513(1) of the Original Indenture shall include Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any.
ARTICLE XI
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1101 The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture No. 1, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.
Section 1102 This Supplemental Indenture No. 1 may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 1103 THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 1 AND EACH NOTE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
Section 1104 If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 1 limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included herein by any provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.
Section 1105 In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 1 or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture No. 1 to be duly executed, as of the day and year first written above.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
By: /s/ GARY L. WHITLOCK
------------------------------------
Name: Gary L. Whitlock
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Attest:
/s/ RICHARD B. DAUPHIN
--------------------------
Name: Richard B. Dauphin
Title: Assistant Corporate Secretary
|
(SEAL)
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as Trustee
By: /s/ CAROL LOGAN
------------------------------------
Name: Carol Logan
Title: Vice President and
Trust Officer
|
(SEAL)
Exhibit A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[Global Note]
[Certificated Note]
[IF THIS SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL NOTE -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY
WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN
THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS
EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE
DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE
INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.
[For as long as this Global Security is deposited with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company it shall bear the following legend.] Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to CenterPoint Energy, Inc. or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023
No. __________ $__________ *
CUSIP No. ________
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the "Company", which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _______________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________ Dollars on May 15, 2023. This Note shall bear interest as specified on the other side of this Note. This
Note is convertible and is subject to redemption at the option of the Company and to purchase by the Company at the option of the Holder as specified on the other side of this Note.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION HEREOF MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY
THAT (A) THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION
HEREOF MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED,
ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY
BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS
OF RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
(III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR
(IV) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO,
NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT SUCH HOLDER WILL NOT ENGAGE IN HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION HEREOF UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.
THIS SECURITY AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTATION MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME TO MODIFY THE RESTRICTIONS ON AND PROCEDURES FOR RESALES AND OTHER TRANSFERS OF THIS SECURITY TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION (OR THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF) OR IN PRACTICES RELATING TO THE RESALE OR TRANSFER OF RESTRICTED SECURITIES GENERALLY. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY SHALL BE DEEMED BY THE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS SECURITY TO HAVE AGREED TO ANY SUCH AMENDMENT OR SUPPLEMENT.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO, AND ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF, A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MAY 19, 2003 ENTERED INTO BY THE COMPANY FOR THE BENEFIT OF CERTAIN HOLDERS OF SECURITIES FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE HOLDER OF THE COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO, AND ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF, A RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JANUARY 1, 2002, BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS RIGHTS AGENT.
FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, THIS SECURITY IS A CONTINGENT PAYMENT DEBT INSTRUMENT AND WILL ACCRUE ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AT THE ISSUER'S "COMPARABLE YIELD" FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. PURSUANT TO SECTION 213 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE COMPANY AGREES, AND BY ACCEPTANCE OF A BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THE SECURITY, EACH BENEFICIAL HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE AGREED, FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, (i) TO TREAT THE SECURITIES AS INDEBTEDNESS THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE CONTINGENT PAYMENT DEBT INSTRUMENT REGULATIONS UNDER SECTION 1.1275-4 OF THE UNITED STATES TREASURY REGULATIONS (THE "CPDI REGULATIONS"), AND, FOR PURPOSES OF THE CPDI REGULATIONS, TO TREAT THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF COMMON STOCK RECEIVED BY A BENEFICIAL HOLDER UPON ANY CONVERSION OF THE NOTES AS A CONTINGENT PAYMENT AND (ii) TO BE BOUND BY THE COMPANY'S DETERMINATION OF THE "COMPARABLE YIELD" AND "PROJECTED PAYMENT SCHEDULE," WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE CPDI REGULATIONS, WITH RESPECT TO THE NOTES
AND TO ACCRUE ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AT THE COMPARABLE YIELD AS DETERMINED BY THE COMPANY. THE COMPANY'S DETERMINATION OF THE "COMPARABLE YIELD" IS 5.81% PER ANNUM, COMPOUNDED SEMIANNUALLY. THE PROJECTED PAYMENT SCHEDULE, DETERMINED BY THE COMPANY, IS ATTACHED TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AS EXHIBIT J. YOU MAY OBTAIN THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE DATE, COMPARABLE YIELD AND PROJECTED PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE SECURITY BY TELEPHONING THE COMPANY'S TREASURY DEPARTMENT AT (713) 207-7019 OR SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION TO: CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., 1111 LOUISIANA, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002, ATTENTION: TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
Dated: __________________________ CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
By: ___________________________
Name: ___________________________
(SEAL) Title: ___________________________
Attest:
_________________________________
Name:
Title:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred
|
to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
As Trustee
Date of Authentication: _______________
By: ______________________________
Authorized Signatory
By: ______________________________ Authorized Signatory
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
3.75% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023
1. INTEREST
This Note shall bear interest at a rate of 3.75% per year on the principal hereof, from May 19, 2003 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to which payment has been made or duly provided for, payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning November 15, 2003 (each an "Interest Payment Date") to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on May 1 and November 1 (each a "Regular Record Date") (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. This Note shall also bear Contingent Interest in certain circumstances as specified in paragraph 5 below. The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month.
Holders of Notes at the close of business on a Regular Record Date will receive payment of interest, including Contingent Interest, if any, payable on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion of such Notes at any time after the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Notes surrendered for conversion by a Holder during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest, including Contingent Interest, if any, that the Holder is to receive on the Notes; provided, however, that no such payment need be made if (1) the Company has specified a Redemption Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the immediately following Interest Payment Date, (2) the Company has specified a Purchase Date following a Fundamental Change that is during such period or (3) any overdue interest (including overdue Contingent Interest, if any) exists at the time of conversion with respect to such Notes to the extent of such overdue interest. The Holders of the Notes and any Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof will continue to be entitled to receive Additional Amounts in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
If the principal hereof or any portion of such principal is not paid when due (whether upon acceleration, upon the date set for payment of the Redemption Price pursuant to paragraph 6 hereof, upon the date set for payment of a Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price pursuant to paragraph 8 hereof or upon the Stated Maturity of this Note) or if interest (including Contingent Interest, if any) due hereon or any portion of such interest is not paid when due in accordance with this paragraph or paragraph 5 or 11 hereof, then in each such case the overdue amount shall bear interest at the rate of 3.75% per annum, compounded semiannually (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which interest shall accrue from the date such overdue amount was due to the date payment of such amount,
including interest thereon, has been made or duly provided for. All such interest shall be payable on demand.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Note will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.
3. PAYING AGENT, CONVERSION AGENT AND SECURITY REGISTRAR
Initially, the Trustee, shall act as Paying Agent, Conversion Agent and Security Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Security Registrar or co-registrar or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts without notice, other than notice to the Trustee. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates may act as Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Security Registrar or co-registrar.
4. INDENTURE
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company, issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (the "Original Indenture"), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of May 19, 2003 (the "Supplemental Indenture" and, together with the Original Indenture, the "Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders and the terms upon which the Notes are to be authenticated and delivered. The terms, conditions and provisions of the Notes are those stated in the Indenture, those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and those set forth in the Notes.
The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited to $575,000,000 aggregate principal amount.
5. CONTINGENT INTEREST
The Company will pay Contingent Interest to the Holders of the Notes in respect of any six-month interest period from May 15 to November 14 or November 15 to May 14 commencing on or after May 15, 2008 for which the average Trading Price of a Note for the applicable five Trading Day reference period equals or exceeds 120% of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes as of the day immediately preceding the first day of the applicable six-month interest period. The "five Trading Day reference period" means the five Trading Days ending on the second Trading Day immediately preceding the relevant six-month interest period. For any six-month interest period in respect of which Contingent Interest is payable, the Contingent Interest
payable on each $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall equal 0.25% of the average Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes during the applicable five Trading Day reference period.
The record dates and payment dates for Contingent Interest, if any, will be the same as the Regular Record Date and Interest Payment Dates for the semi-annual interest payments on the Notes.
Upon determination that Holders will be entitled to receive Contingent Interest which may become payable, the Company shall notify the Holders. In connection with providing such notice, the Company will issue a press release and publish a notice containing information regarding the Contingent Interest determination in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York or publish such information on the Company's then existing Web site or through such other public medium as the Company shall determine.
6. REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY
No sinking fund is provided for the Notes. The Notes are redeemable for cash in whole, or in part, at any time on or after May 15, 2008 at the option of the Company at a redemption price ("Redemption Price") equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any) to the Redemption Date.
7. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY
Notice of redemption at the option of the Company shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date to the Trustee, the Paying Agent and each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at the Holder's registered address. If money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the Redemption Date is deposited with the Paying Agent prior to or on the Redemption Date, on and after the Redemption Date interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any), if any, shall cease to accrue on such Notes or portions thereof. Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 principal amount may be redeemed in part but only in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
8. PURCHASE BY THE COMPANY AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER; PURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER UPON A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, a Holder shall have the option to require the Company to purchase the Notes held by such Holder on May 15, 2008, May 15, 2013 and May 15, 2018 (each, a "Purchase Date") at a purchase price (the "Purchase Price") equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any) to such Purchase Date, upon delivery of a Purchase Notice containing the information set forth in the Indenture, from the opening of business on the date that is 20 Business Days prior to such Purchase Date until the close of business on the fifth Business Day prior to such Purchase Date and upon delivery of the Notes to the Paying Agent by the Holder as set forth in the Indenture. The Company will pay the Purchase Price in cash.
Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 principal amount may be purchased in part, but only in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
(b) If a Fundamental Change shall occur at any time prior to May 15, 2008, each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder's option and subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, to require the Company to purchase any or all of such Holder's Notes or any portion of the principal amount thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 on the day that is 35 days after the date of the Company Notice of the occurrence of the Fundamental Change (subject to extension to comply with applicable law) for a Fundamental Change Purchase Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any) to the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, which Fundamental Change Purchase Price shall be paid by the Company in cash, as set forth in the Indenture.
(c) Holders have the right to withdraw any Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, as the case may be, by delivery to the Paying Agent of a written notice of withdrawal in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
(d) If cash sufficient to pay a Fundamental Change Purchase Price or Purchase Price, as the case may be, of all Notes or portions thereof to be purchased as of the Purchase Date or the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as the case may be, is deposited with the Paying Agent on the Business Day following the Purchase Date or the Fundamental Change Purchase Date, as the case may be, interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any) shall cease to accrue on such Notes (or portions thereof) on and after such date, and the Holder thereof shall have no other rights as such (other than the right to receive the Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Purchase Price, as the case may be, upon surrender of such Note).
9. RANKING
The Notes shall be unsecured and shall rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company's other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness.
10. CONVERSION
Subject to the procedures set forth in the Indenture, a Holder may convert Notes into Common Stock on or before the close of business on May 15, 2023 during the periods and upon satisfaction of at least one of the conditions set forth below:
(a) in any calendar quarter (and only during such calendar quarter) if the Last Reported Sale Price for Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days during the period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the last Trading Day of the previous calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 120% or, following May 15, 2008, 110% of the Conversion Price per share of Common Stock on such last Trading Day;
(b) during any period in which both (A) the credit rating assigned to the Notes by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. is lower than Ba2 and (B) the credit rating assigned to the Notes by Standard & Poors Rating Services is lower than BB;
(c) during any period in which the Notes no longer are assigned credit ratings by at least one of Moody's Investors Services, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or their successors;
(d) in the event that the Company calls the Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date; or
(e) the Company becomes a party to a consolidation, merger or binding share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock would be converted into cash or property (other than securities), in which case a Holder may surrender Notes for conversion at any time from and after the date which is 15 days prior to the anticipated effective date for the transaction until 15 days after the actual effective date of such transaction; or
(f) the Company elects to (i) distribute to all holders of Common
Stock assets, debt securities or rights to purchase securities of the Company,
which distribution has a per share value as determined by the Board of Directors
exceeding 15% of the Last Reported Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the
Trading Day immediately preceding the declaration date for such distribution, or
(ii) distribute to all holders of Common Stock rights entitling them to
purchase, for a period expiring within 60 days after the date of such
distribution, shares of Common Stock at less than the Last Reported Sale Price
of Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the declaration date of
the distribution. In the case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Company
must notify the Holders at least 20 Business Days immediately prior to the ex
date for such distribution. Once the Company has given such notice, Holders may
surrender their Notes for conversion at any time thereafter until the earlier of
the close of business on the Business Day immediately prior to the ex date or
the Company's announcement that such distribution will not take place; provided,
however, that a Holder may not exercise this right to convert if the Holder may
participate in the distribution without conversion. As used herein, the term "ex
date," when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, shall mean the
first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in
such market without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.
Notes in respect of which a Holder has delivered a notice of exercise of the option to require the Company to purchase such Notes pursuant to Articles V or VI of the Indenture may be converted only if the notice of exercise is withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
The initial Conversion Rate is 86.3558 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount, subject to adjustment in certain events described in the Indenture. The Company shall deliver cash or a check in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock.
Holders of Notes at the close of business on a Regular Record Date will receive payment of interest, including Contingent Interest, if any, payable on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion of such Notes at any time after the close of business on such Regular Record Date. Notes surrendered for conversion by a Holder during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the
interest, including Contingent Interest, if any, that the Holder is to receive on the Notes; provided, however, that no such payment need be made if (1) the Company has specified a Redemption Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the immediately following Interest Payment Date, (2) the Company has specified a Purchase Date following a Fundamental Change that is during such period, or (3) any overdue interest (including overdue Contingent Interest, if any) exists at the time of conversion with respect to such Notes to the extent of such overdue interest. The Holders of the Notes and any Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof will continue to be entitled to receive Additional Amounts in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
To convert the Notes a Holder must (1) complete and manually sign the irrevocable conversion notice on the back of the Notes (or complete and manually sign a facsimile of such notice) and deliver such notice to the Conversion Agent at the office maintained by the Conversion Agent for such purpose, (2) surrender the Notes to the Conversion Agent, (3) furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents if required by the Conversion Agent, the Company or the Trustee and (4) pay any transfer or similar tax, if required.
A Holder may convert a portion of the Notes only if the principal amount of such portion is $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000. No payment or adjustment shall be made for dividends on the Common Stock except as provided in the Indenture. On conversion of the Notes, that portion of accrued and unpaid interest attributable to the period from the Original Issue Date to the Conversion Date and accrued and unpaid Contingent Interest with respect to the converted portion of the Notes shall not be canceled, extinguished or forfeited, but rather shall be deemed to be paid in full to the Holder thereof through the delivery of the Common Stock (together with any cash payment in lieu of fractional shares) in exchange for the portion of the Notes being converted pursuant to the terms hereof; and the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock (together with any such cash payment in lieu of fractional shares) shall be treated as issued, to the extent thereof, first in exchange for interest accrued and unpaid through the Conversion Date and accrued and unpaid Contingent Interest, and the balance, if any, of such Fair Market Value of such Common Stock (and any such cash payment) shall be treated as issued in exchange for the principal amount of the Notes being converted pursuant to the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the conversion of any Notes, the Holders of the Notes and any Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof will continue to be entitled to receive Additional Amounts in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
11. DEFAULTED INTEREST
Except as otherwise specified with respect to the Notes, any Defaulted Interest on any Note shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date or accrual date, as the case may be, by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company as provided for in Section 204 of the Supplemental Indenture.
12. DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE
The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and multiples of $1,000; provided, however, that Notes issued to institutional accredited
investors will be issued only in denominations of $250,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or convert Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Security Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. In the event of any redemption or purchase in part, the Security Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or any Notes in respect of which a Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice has been given and not withdrawn (except, in the case of a Note to be purchased in part, the portion of the Note not to be purchased) for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a Redemption Notice, Purchase Notice or Fundamental Change Purchase Notice.
13. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS
The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of this Note for all purposes.
14. UNCLAIMED MONEY OR PROPERTY
The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall return to the Company upon written request any money or property held by them for the payment of any amount with respect to the Notes that remains unclaimed for two years, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such return, shall at the expense of the Company cause to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York or mail to each such Holder notice that such money or property remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing, any unclaimed money or property then remaining shall be returned to the Company. After return to the Company, Holders entitled to the money or property must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
15. AMENDMENT; WAIVER
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding and (ii) certain defaults or noncompliance with certain provisions may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding. The Indenture or the Notes may be amended without the consent of any Holders under circumstances set forth in Section 901 of the Original Indenture. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.
16. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, may declare the
principal amount and any accrued and unpaid interest (including Contingent Interest and Additional Amounts, if any), of all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which shall result in the Notes being declared due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.
Events of Default in respect of the Notes are set forth in Section 1001 of the Supplemental Indenture and Section 501 of the Original Indenture. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security. Subject to certain limitations, conditions and exceptions, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power, including the annulment of a declaration of acceleration. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment on any Notes) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interests.
17. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, AND SALE OF ASSETS
In the event of a consolidation, merger, or sale of assets to convey, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of Company's property or assets as described in Article VIII of the Original Indenture, the successor corporation to the Company shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, and may exercise the Company's rights and powers under this Indenture, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Notes.
18. TRUSTEE AND AGENT DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY
The Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent and Security Registrar under the Indenture, each in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or Security Registrar.
19. CALCULATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES
The Company will be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determination of the market prices for the Common Stock, accrued interest payable on the Notes and Conversion Price of the Notes. The Company will make these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, these calculations will be final and binding on the Holders. The Company will provide to each of the Trustee and the Conversion Agent a schedule of its calculations and each of the Trustee and the Conversion Agent is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of such calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward the Company's calculations to any Holder upon the request of such Holder.
20. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS
A director, officer or employee, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any stockholder as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.
21. AUTHENTICATION
This Note shall not be valid until an authorized officer of the Trustee or Authenticating Agent manually signs the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication on the other side of this Note.
22. ABBREVIATIONS
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TENANT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
23. GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and this Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the conflicts of law rules of said state.
SCHEDULE A
SCHEDULE OF ADJUSTMENTS
The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is _______________. The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate.
Aggregate Principal
Decrease in Aggregate Increase in Aggregate Amount of Securities Notation by
Date of Principal Amount of Principal Amount of Remaining After Such Security
Adjustment Securities Securities Decrease or Increase Registrar
---------- --------------------- --------------------- -------------------- -----------
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Exhibit B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE
OR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF SECURITIES
Re: 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 of CenterPoint Energy Inc. (the "Company")
This Certificate relates to $_____ principal amount of Notes held in **______ book-entry or *______ definitive form by _____________________ (the "Transferor").
The Transferor has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes.
In connection with such request and in respect of each such Note, the Transferor does hereby certify that the Transferor is familiar with the Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (as amended or supplemented to date, the "Indenture"), between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, (the "Trustee") relating to the above-captioned Notes and that the transfer of this Note does not require registration under the Securities Act (as defined below) because:*
[ ] Such Note is being acquired for the Transferor's own account without transfer.
[ ] Such Note is being transferred (i) to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")), in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or (ii) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act (and in the case of clause (ii), based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company or the Trustee so requests, together with a certification in substantially the form of Exhibit C to Supplemental Indenture No. 1 to the Indenture).
[ ] Such Note is being transferred (i) pursuant to an exemption
from registration in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (and
based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company or the Trustee so requests) or
(ii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
[ ] Such Note is being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company or the Trustee so requests).
You are entitled to rely upon this certificate and you are irrevocably authorized to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
Address:
Date: ______________________________
Exhibit C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION
WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S
________________,______
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Security Registrar
600 Travis, Suite 1150
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Institutional Trust Services
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed sale of certain 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the "Notes"), of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the "Company"), we represent that:
(i) the offer or sale of the Notes was made in an "offshore transaction";
(ii) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States;
(iii) no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(a) or Rule 904(a) of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as applicable;
(iv) if this transfer of the Note is being made prior to the expiration of the one-year Distribution Compliance Period, such interest that is being transferred is held immediately thereafter through The Euroclear System or Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme; and
(v) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and you are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
Very truly yours,
Name of Transferor:
By: _________________________________
Name:
Title:
Address:
Exhibit D
FORM OF CONVERSION NOTICE
To: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
The undersigned registered holder of this Note hereby exercises the option to convert this Note, or portion hereof (which is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) designated below, for shares of Common Stock of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that the shares, if any, issuable and deliverable upon such conversion, together with any check for cash deliverable upon such conversion, and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If shares or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned shall pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto.
This notice shall be deemed to be an irrevocable exercise of the option to convert this Note.
Dated: ________________________________
________________________________
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by a
commercial bank or trust company or a member
firm of a major stock exchange if shares of
Common Stock are to be issued, or Notes to
be delivered, other than to or in the name
of the registered holder.
________________________________
Signature Guarantee
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Fill in for registration of shares if
to be delivered, and Notes if to be
issued other than to and in the
name of registered holder:
_____________________________________ Principal Amount to be purchased (if
(Name) less than all):
_____________________________________ $___________,000
(Street Address)
_____________________________________ Social Security or Other Taxpayer
(City, state and zip code) Number
Please print name and address
D-2
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Exhibit E
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FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE PURCHASE NOTICE
To: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
The undersigned registered holder of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the "Company") as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and requests and instructs the Company to repurchase this Note, or the portion hereof (which is $1,000 principal amount or a integral multiple thereof) designated below, in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture referred to in this Note and directs that the check of the Company, in payment for this Note or the portion thereof and any Notes representing any unrepurchased principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If any portion of this Note not repurchased is to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned shall pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto.
Dated: ________________________________
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by a
commercial bank or trust company or a member
firm of a major stock exchange if Notes are
to be delivered, other than to or in the
name of the registered holder.
________________________________
Signature Guarantee
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Fill in for registration of Notes if to be issued other than to and in the name of registered holder:
Please print name and address
Principal Amount to be purchased (if
less than all): $__________,000
Social Security or Other Taxpayer Number
Exhibit F
FORM OF PURCHASE NOTICE
To: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
The undersigned registered holder of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the "Company") as to the holder's option to require the Company to repurchase this Note and requests and instructs the Company to repurchase this Note, or the portion hereof (which is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) designated below, in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture referred to in this Note and directs that the check of the Company in payment for this Note or the portion thereof and any Notes representing any unrepurchased principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below. If any portion of this Note not repurchased is to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned shall pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto.
Dated: ________________________________
Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by a
commercial bank or trust company or a member
firm of a major stock exchange if Notes are
to be delivered, other than to or in the
name of the registered holder.
________________________________
Signature Guarantee
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Fill in for registration of Notes if to be issued other than to and in the name of registered holder:
Please print name and address
Principal Amount to be purchased (if
less than all): $__________,000
Social Security or Other Taxpayer Number
Exhibit G
ASSIGNMENT FORM
For value received ___________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto _____________________ (Please insert social security or other Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints __________ attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by a
commercial bank or trust company or
a member firm of a major stock
exchange if shares of Common Stock
are to be issued, or Notes to be
delivered, other than to or in the
name of the registered holder.
NOTICE: The above signatures of the holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
Exhibit H
FORM OF RESTRICTED COMMON STOCK LEGEND
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT SUCH HOLDER WILL NOT ENGAGE IN HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.
THIS SECURITY AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTATION MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME TO MODIFY THE RESTRICTIONS ON AND PROCEDURES FOR RESALES AND OTHER TRANSFERS OF THIS SECURITY TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION (OR THE
INTERPRETATION THEREOF) OR IN PRACTICES RELATING TO THE RESALE OR TRANSFER OF RESTRICTED SECURITIES GENERALLY. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY SHALL BE DEEMED BY THE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS SECURITY TO HAVE AGREED TO ANY SUCH AMENDMENT OR SUPPLEMENT.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO, AND ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF, A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MAY 19, 2003 ENTERED INTO BY THE COMPANY FOR THE BENEFIT OF CERTAIN HOLDERS OF SECURITIES FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO, AND ENTITLED TO THE BENEFITS OF, A RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JANUARY 1, 2002, BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS RIGHTS AGENT.
Exhibit I
FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE FOR TRANSFER
OF RESTRICTED COMMON STOCK
(Transfers pursuant to Section 904(b) of the Supplemental Indenture)
[NAME AND ADDRESS OF COMMON STOCK TRANSFER AGENT]
Re: CenterPoint Energy, Inc. 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2023 (the "Notes")
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of May 19, 2003, between the Company and the Trustee (collectively, the "Indenture"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Indenture.
This letter relates to _________ shares of Common Stock represented by the accompanying certificate(s) that were issued upon conversion of Notes and which are held in the name of [name of transferor] (the "Transferor") to effect the transfer of such Common Stock.
In connection with the transfer of such shares of Common Stock, the undersigned confirms that such shares of Common Stock are being transferred:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
(1) [ ] to the Company; or
(2) [ ] to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as
defined in Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1933) in accordance with Rule 144A
under the Securities Act of 1933;
(3) [ ] pursuant to and in compliance with
Regulation S under the Securities Act of
1933 in off-shore transactions to non-U.S.
Persons; or
(4) [ ] pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 provided by
Rule 144 thereunder.
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Unless one of the boxes is checked, the transfer agent will refuse to register any of the Common Stock evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (2) or (3) is checked, the transfer agent may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Common Stock such certifications and other information, and if box (3) is checked such legal opinions, as the Company has reasonably requested in writing, by delivery to the transfer agent of a standing letter of instruction, to
Exhibit I
confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.
[Name of Transferor],
By Name:
Title:
Dated:
EXHIBIT 4.3
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
To
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
Trustee
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 2
Dated as of May 27, 2003
5.875% Senior Notes due 2008
Series A and Series B
6.850% Senior Notes due 2015
Series A and Series B
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 2
5.875% Senior Notes due 2008
6.850% Senior Notes due 2015
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE No. 2, dated as of May 27, 2003, between CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a Texas corporation (the "Company"), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as Trustee (the "Trustee").
RECITALS
The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (the "Original Indenture" and, as hereby supplemented and amended, the "Indenture"), providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of the Company's Securities.
Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of four new series of Securities to be designated as the "5.875% Senior Notes due 2008, Series A (the "2008 Series A Notes"), the "5.875% Senior Notes due 2008, Series B" (the "2008 Series B Notes" and together with the 2008 Series A Notes, the "2008 Notes"), the "6.850% Senior Notes due 2015, Series A" (the "2015 Series A Notes") and the "6.850% Senior Notes due 2015, Series B" (the "2015 Series B Notes" and together with the 2015 Series A Notes, the "2015 Notes") (the 2008 Notes and the 2015 Notes are referred to collectively as the "Notes"), the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Original Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture No. 2.
Section 301 of the Original Indenture provides that various matters with respect to any series of Securities issued under the Indenture may be established in an indenture supplemental to the Indenture.
Subparagraph (7) of Section 901 of the Original Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 of the Original Indenture.
For and in consideration of the premises and the issuance of the series of Securities provided for herein, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, as follows:
ARTICLE I
Relation to Indenture; Additional Definitions
Section 101 Relation to Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture No. 2 constitutes an integral part of the Original Indenture.
Section 102 Additional Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 2:
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning specified herein or in the Original Indenture, as the case may be;
"2008 Notes" has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"2015 Notes" has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"2008 Notes Maturity Date" has the meaning set forth in
Section 203 hereof;
"2015 Notes Maturity Date" has the meaning set forth in
Section 203 hereof;
"2008 Series A Notes" has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"2008 Series B Notes" has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"2015 Series A Notes" has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"2015 Series B Notes" has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"$3.85 Billion Credit Facility" means that certain $3,850,00,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2002, among the Company, as borrower, the banks party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administration agent, as amended by a First Amendment, effective as of December 5, 2002, and a Second Amendment, effective as of February 28, 2003, to such Credit Agreement;
"Additional Interest" has the meaning set forth in Section 204(e) hereof;
"Affiliate" of, or a Person "affiliated" with, a specific Person means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. For purposes of this definition, "control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with") means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting shares, by contract, or otherwise.
"Business Day" means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close. If any Interest Payment Date,
Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of a Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the relevant date that the payment was due and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after the Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, to the date of that payment on the next succeeding Business Day. The definition of "Business Day" in this Supplemental Indenture No. 2 and the provisions described in the preceding sentence shall supersede the definition of Business Day in the Original Indenture and Section 113 of the Original Indenture.
"Capital Lease" means a lease that, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, would be recorded as a capital lease on the balance sheet of the lessee;
"CenterPoint Houston" means CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and any successor thereto; provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor;
"CERC" means CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto; provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor;
"Comparable Treasury Yield" has the meaning set forth in
Section 402(a) hereof;
"Distribution Compliance Period" means the period which expires immediately after the 40th day following the later of: (a) the commencement of the offering of the Notes to Persons other than "distributors" (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance upon Regulation S; and (b) the date of closing of the offering of the Notes;
"Equity Interests" means any capital stock, partnership, joint venture, member or limited liability or unlimited liability company interest, beneficial interest in a trust or similar entity or other equity interest or investment of whatever nature;
"Exchange Offer" means the offer by the Company pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holders for 2008 Series B Notes or 2015 Series B Notes, as applicable, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders;
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement;
"Global Notes" has the meaning set forth in Section 208(c) hereof;
"H.15 Statistical Release" has the meaning set forth in
Section 402(b) hereof;
The term "Indebtedness" as applied to any Person, means bonds,
debentures, notes and other instruments or arrangements representing
obligations created or assumed by any such Person, in respect of: (i)
obligations for money borrowed (other than unamortized debt discount or
premium); (ii) obligations evidenced by a note or similar instrument
given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or
assets of any kind; (iii) obligations as lessee under a Capital Lease;
and (iv) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and
refundings of any such indebtedness or obligations listed in clause
(i), (ii) or (iii) above. All indebtedness of such type, secured by a
lien upon property owned by such Person although such Person has not
assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, shall
also for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of such
Person. All indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by any other
Persons which is directly guaranteed as to payment of principal by such
Person shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of
any such Person, but no other contingent obligation of such Person in
respect of indebtedness incurred by any other Persons shall for any
purpose be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person;
"Independent Investment Banker" has the meaning set forth in
Section 401(c) hereof.
"Initial Purchasers" means Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Wachovia Securities, Inc., Banc One Capital Markets, Inc., UBS Warburg LLC, Mizuho International plc, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., TD Securities (USA) Inc. and Tokyo-Mitsubishi International plc as initial purchasers in the offering of the Notes pursuant to the Offering Memorandum dated May 21, 2003 relating thereto;
"Interest Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof;
"Issue Date" has the meaning provided in Section 204(a) hereof;
"Make-Whole Premium" has the meaning set forth in Section 401(b) hereof;
"Non-U.S. Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 208(b) hereof;
"Notes" has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"Original Indenture" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of the Recitals hereof;
"Qualified Institutional Buyer" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 144A under the Securities Act;
"Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth in Section 401(a) hereof;
"Registrable Securities" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement;
"Registration Default" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement;
"Registration Rights Agreement" means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2003, by and among the Company and the Initial Purchasers;
"Regular Record Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof;
"Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act;
"Regulation S Global Notes" has the meaning set forth in
Section 208(b) hereof;
"Regulation S Permanent Global Note" has the meaning set forth in Section 208(b) hereof;
"Regulation S Temporary Global Note" has the meaning set forth in Section 208(b) hereof;
"Remaining Term" has the meaning set forth in Section 402(a) hereof;
"Rule 144A Global Note" has the meaning set forth in Section 208(a) hereof;
"Rule 144A Information" has the meaning set forth in Section 504 hereof;
"Shelf Registration Statement" has the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement;
"Significant Subsidiary" means, CERC, CenterPoint Houston and Texas Genco, and any other Subsidiary which, at the time of the creation of a pledge, mortgage, security interest or other lien upon any Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, has consolidated gross assets (having regard to the Company's beneficial interest in the shares, or the like, of that Subsidiary) that represents at least 25% of the Company's consolidated gross assets appearing in the Company's most recent audited consolidated financial statements;
"Subsidiary" of any entity means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or estate of which (or in which) more than 50% of (i) the issued and outstanding capital stock or Equity Interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors or comparable governing body of such corporation or other entity (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation or other entity shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency), (ii) the interest in the capital or profits of such limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other entity, or (iii) the beneficial interest in such trust or estate is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such entity, by such entity and one or more of its other Subsidiaries, or by one or more of such entity's other Subsidiaries;
"Texas Genco" means Texas Genco Holdings, Inc., a Texas corporation, and any successor thereto; provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor;
"Transfer Restricted Securities" means the Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement.
All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture No. 2; and
The terms "herein," "hereof," "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 2.
ARTICLE II
The Series of Securities
Section 201 Title of the Securities. The 2008 Series A Notes shall be designated as the "5.875% Senior Notes due 2008, Series A"; the 2008 Series B Notes shall be designated as the "5.875% Senior Notes due 2008, Series B"; the 2015 Series A Notes shall be designated as the "6.850% Senior Notes due 2015, Series A"; and the 2015 Series B Notes shall be designated as the "6.850% Senior Notes due 2015, Series B." The 2008 Series A Notes and the 2008 Series B Notes shall be treated for all purposes under the Indenture as a single class or series of Securities. The 2015 Series A Notes and the 2015 Series B Notes shall be treated for all purposes under the Indenture as a single class or series of Securities.
Section 202 Limitation on Aggregate Principal Amount. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) 2008 Series A Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000, (ii) 2008 Series B Notes from time to time thereafter for issue only in exchange for a like principal amount of 2008 Series A Notes, (iii) 2015 Series A Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000 and (iv) 2015 Series B Notes from time to time thereafter for issue only in exchange for a like principal amount of 2015 Series A Notes, in each case upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery thereof and satisfaction of Sections 301 and 303 of the Original Indenture. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders. The aggregate principal amount of 2008 Notes and 2015 Notes that may initially be outstanding shall not exceed $200,000,000 and $200,000,000, respectively; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of either series of the Notes may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.
Section 203 Stated Maturity. The stated maturity of the 2008 Notes shall be June 1, 2008 (the "2008 Notes Maturity Date"). The stated maturity of the 2015 Notes shall be June 1, 2015 (the "2015 Notes Maturity Date").
Section 204 Interest and Interest Rates.
(a) The 2008 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per year, from and including May 27, 2003 (the "Issue Date") to, but excluding, the 2008 Notes Maturity Date. The 2015 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 6.850% per year, from and including the Issue Date to, but excluding, the 2015 Notes Maturity Date. Such interest shall be payable semiannually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each an "Interest Payment Date"), beginning December 1, 2003 to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on May 15 and November 15 (each a "Regular Record Date") (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.
(b) Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either (i) be paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of the Notes not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or (ii) be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.
(c) The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on a Note is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable.
(d) Any principal and premium, if any, and any installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 5.875% per annum on the 2008 Notes and 6.850% per annum on the 2015 Notes (in each case, to the extent permitted by law), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand.
(e) The interest rate borne by the Registrable Securities will be increased by .25% per annum upon the occurrence of each Registration Default, which rate will increase by an additional .25% per annum if such Registration Default has not been cured within 90 days after the occurrence thereof and will continue until all Registration Defaults have been cured ("Additional Interest"); provided that the aggregate amount of any such increase in the interest rate on the Registrable Securities shall in no event exceed .50% per annum; provided, further, that if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 270th calendar day following the Issue Date and the Company shall request Holders of Registrable Securities to provide the information called for by the Registration Rights Agreement for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, the Registrable Securities owned by Holders who do not deliver such information to the Company or who do not provide comments to the Company on the Shelf Registration Statement when required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement shall not be entitled to any such Additional Interest for any day after the 315th
calendar day following the Issue Date. All accrued Additional Interest shall be paid to Holders of Registrable Securities in the same manner and at the same time as regular payments of interest on the Registrable Securities. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of Additional Interest shall cease and the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will revert to 5.875% per annum on the 2008 Notes and 6.850% per annum on the 2015 Notes.
Section 205 Paying Agent; Place of Payment. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Paying Agent for the Notes. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts without notice, other than notice to the Trustee. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates may act as Paying Agent. The Place of Payment where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. At the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.
Section 206 Place of Registration or Exchange; Notices and Demands With Respect to the Notes. The place where the Holders of the Notes may present the Notes for registration of transfer or exchange and may make notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
Section 207 Percentage of Principal Amount. The 2008 Notes shall be initially issued at 99.969% of their principal amount plus accrued interest, if any, from May 27, 2003. The 2015 Notes shall be initially issued at 99.958% of their principal amount plus accrued interest, if any, from May 27, 2003.
Section 208 Global Notes.
(a) Notes offered and sold to Qualified Institutional Buyers pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more permanent Global Securities in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form, without interest coupons (collectively, the "Rule 144A Global Note"). The Rule 144A Global Note shall be deposited on the Issue Date with, or on behalf of, the Depositary. Interests in the Rule 144A Global Note shall be available for purchase only by Qualified Institutional Buyers.
(b) Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions to persons other than "U.S. persons," as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act (each, a "Non-U.S. Person") in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act shall initially be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more temporary Global Securities in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form, without interest coupons (collectively, the "Regulation S Temporary Global Note"). Beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in, and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall become, a corresponding Global Security (the "Regulation S Permanent Global Note" and, together with the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, the "Regulation S Global Notes") within a reasonable period after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period upon certification that the beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note are owned by either Non-U.S. Persons or U.S. persons
who purchased such interests pursuant to an exemption from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may only be held through Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, and Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme (as indirect participants in the Depositary), unless exchanged for interests in the Rule 144A Global Notes in accordance with the transfer and certification requirements described herein. Notwithstanding Section 305 of the Original Indenture, in no event shall beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note of a series be transferred or exchanged for Notes of such series in definitive form prior to (x) the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and (y) the receipt by the Security Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.
(c) Each of the Rule 144A Global Note and the Regulation S Global Notes (collectively, the "Global Notes") shall represent such of the Notes as shall be specified therein and shall each provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount, of Notes represented thereby shall be reflected by the Trustee on Schedule A attached to the Note and made by the Trustee in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary, from the Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in the Global Note.
(d) The Depository Trust Company shall initially serve as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes. Such Global Notes shall bear the legends set forth in the form of Security attached as Exhibit A hereto.
Section 209 Form of Securities. The Global Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.
Section 210 Securities Registrar. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Security Registrar for the Notes.
Section 211 Sinking Fund Obligations. The Company shall have no obligation to redeem or purchase any Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous requirement or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof.
Section 212 Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance.
(a) Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture, including without limitation, Sections 1402 and 1403 (as modified by Section 212(b) hereof) thereof, shall apply to each series of the Notes.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 1403 of the Original Indenture, the occurrence of any event specified in Section 601(d)(i) of this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default with respect to any series of the Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 of the Original Indenture with respect to such series are
satisfied and such covenant defeasance remains in full force and effect pursuant to Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture.
ARTICLE III
Additional Covenant
Section 301 Limitations on Liens. The Company shall not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, or grant a security interest in, or permit any such mortgage, pledge, security interest or other lien upon any Equity Interests now or hereafter owned by the Company in any Significant Subsidiary to secure any Indebtedness, without making effective provisions whereby the outstanding Notes shall be equally and ratably secured with or prior to any and all such Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness similarly entitled to be equally and ratably secured; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to or prevent the creation or existence of:
(a) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance upon the capital stock of Texas Genco to secure obligations under the $3.85 Billion Credit Facility or any extension, renewal, refunding, amendment or replacement thereof;
(b) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance upon the Equity Interests of CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company, LLC or any other special purpose Subsidiary created on or after the date of this Supplemental Indenture by the Company in connection with the issuance of securitization bonds for the economic value of generation-related regulatory assets and stranded costs;
(c) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance upon any Equity Interests in a Person which was not affiliated with the Company prior to one year before the grant of such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance (or the Equity Interests of a holding company formed to acquire or hold such Equity Interests) created at the time of the Company's acquisition of the Equity Interests or within one year after such time to secure all or a portion of the purchase price for such Equity Interests; provided that the principal amount of any Indebtedness secured by such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance does not exceed 100% of such purchase price and the fees, expenses and costs incurred in connection with such acquisition and acquisition financing;
(d) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance existing upon Equity Interests in a Person which was not affiliated with the Company prior to one year before the grant of such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance at the time of the Company's acquisition of such Equity Interests (whether or not the obligations secured thereby are assumed by the Company or such Subsidiary becomes a Significant Subsidiary); provided that (i) such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance existed at the time such Person became a Significant Subsidiary and was not created in anticipation of the acquisition, and (ii) any such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance does not by its terms secure any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness existing or committed immediately prior to the time such Person becomes a Significant Subsidiary;
(e) liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies to the extent not past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which the Company has provided adequate reserves for the payment thereof in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(f) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business to secure obligations under workers' compensation laws or similar legislation;
(g) materialmen's, mechanics', carriers', workers' and repairmen's liens imposed by law and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet due or currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted;
(h) attachment, judgment or other similar liens, which have not been effectively stayed, arising in connection with court proceedings; provided that such liens, in the aggregate, shall not secure judgments which exceed $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding; provided further that the execution or enforcement of each such lien is effectively stayed within 30 days after entry of the corresponding judgment (or the corresponding judgment has been discharged within such 30 day period) and the claims secured thereby are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings timely commenced and diligently prosecuted;
(i) other liens not otherwise referred to in paragraphs (a) through (h) above, provided that the Indebtedness secured by such liens in the aggregate, shall not exceed 1% of the Company's consolidated gross assets appearing in the Company's most recent audited consolidated financial statements at any one time outstanding;
(j) any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance on the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that was otherwise permitted under this Section 301 if such Subsidiary subsequently becomes a Significant Subsidiary; or
(k) any extension, renewal or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance described in paragraphs (a) through (j) above; provided that the principal amount of any such Indebtedness is not increased by an amount greater than the fees, expenses and costs incurred in connection with such extension, renewal or refunding.
ARTICLE IV
Optional Redemption of the Notes
Section 401 Redemption Price.
(a) The Company shall have the right to redeem any series of the Notes, in whole or in part, at its option at any time from time to time at a price equal to (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, including Additional Interest, if any, to but excluding the Redemption Date plus (iii) the Make-Whole Premium, if any (collectively, the "Redemption Price").
(b) The amount of the Make-Whole Premium with respect to any Note
(or portion thereof) to be redeemed will be equal to the excess, if any, of: (i)
the sum of the present values, calculated as of the Redemption Date, of: (A)
each interest payment that, but for such redemption, would have been payable on
the Note (or portion thereof) being redeemed on each Interest Payment Date
occurring after the Redemption Date (excluding any accrued and unpaid interest
for the period prior to the Redemption Date); and (B) the principal amount that,
but for such redemption, would have been payable at the 2008 Notes Maturity Date
or the 2015 Notes Maturity Date, as applicable, (or portion thereof) being
redeemed; over (ii) the principal amount of the Note (or portion thereof) being
redeemed. The present values of interest and principal payments referred to in
clause (i) above will be determined in accordance with generally accepted
principles of financial analysis. Such present values will be calculated by
discounting the amount of each payment of interest or principal from the date
that each such payment would have been payable, but for the redemption, to the
Redemption Date at a discount rate equal to the Comparable Treasury Yield (as
defined below) plus 50 basis points for the 2008 Notes and 50 basis points for
the 2015 Notes.
(c) The Make-Whole Premium shall be calculated by an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company; provided, that if the Company fails to make such appointment at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, or if the institution so appointed is unwilling or unable to make such calculation, such calculation shall be made by Citigroup Global Markets Inc., or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to make such calculation, by an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company (in any such case, an "Independent Investment Banker").
Section 402 Make-Whole Premium Calculation.
(a) For purposes of determining the Make-Whole Premium, "Comparable Treasury Yield" means a rate of interest per annum equal to the weekly average yield to maturity of United States Treasury securities that have a constant maturity that corresponds to the remaining term to maturity of the Notes to be redeemed, calculated to the nearest 1/12th of a year (the "Remaining Term"). The Comparable Treasury Yield shall be determined as of the third Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Redemption Date.
(b) The weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities shall be determined by reference to the most recent statistical release published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "H.15 (519) Selected Interest Rates" or any successor release (the "H.15 Statistical Release"). If the H.15 Statistical Release sets forth a weekly average yield for United States Treasury securities having a constant maturity that is the same as the Remaining Term, then the Comparable Treasury Yield shall be equal to such weekly average yield. In all other cases, the Comparable Treasury Yield shall be calculated by interpolation, on a straight-line basis, between the weekly average yields on the United States Treasury securities that have a constant maturity closest to and greater than the Remaining Term and the United States Treasury securities that have a constant maturity closest to and less than the Remaining Term (in each case as set forth in the H.15 Statistical Release). Any weekly average yields so calculated by interpolation shall be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward. If weekly average yields for United States Treasury securities are not available in the H.15 Statistical Release or otherwise, then the
Comparable Treasury Yield shall be calculated by interpolation of comparable rates selected by the Independent Investment Banker.
Section 403 Partial Redemption. If the Company redeems any series of the Notes in part pursuant to this Article Four, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed on a pro rata basis or by lot or by such other method that the Trustee in its sole discretion deems fair and appropriate. The Company shall redeem Notes pursuant to this Article IV in multiples of $1,000 in original principal amount. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note.
Section 404 Notice of Optional Redemption. If the Company elects to exercise its right to redeem all or some of the Notes pursuant to this Article IV, the Company or the Trustee shall mail a notice of such redemption to each Holder of a Note that is to be redeemed not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount to be redeemed.
ARTICLE V
Restrictions on Transfer
Section 501 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Notes in Definitive Form. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 305 of the Original Indenture, Notes in definitive form that are Transfer Restricted Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to Section 305 of the Original Indenture shall be accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable, upon which the Security Registrar may conclusively rely:
(i) if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being delivered to the Security Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto); or
(ii) if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being transferred (1) to a Qualified Institutional Buyer in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or (2) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company or the Trustee so requests) or (3) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certification to that effect from such Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto); or
(iii) if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, certifications to that effect from such transferor (in substantially the form of Exhibits B and C hereto) and an opinion of counsel to that effect if the Company or the Trustee so requests; or
(iv) if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, a certification to that effect from such Holder (in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto) and an opinion of counsel to that effect if the Company or the Trustee so requests.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of the Notes.
(i) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with Section 305 of the Original Indenture and Article V hereof (including the restrictions on transfer set forth therein and herein) and the rules and procedures of the Depositary therefor, which shall include restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth therein and herein to the extent required by the Securities Act.
(ii) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein for certificated notes (or vice versa) shall be effected through the Trustee and the Depositary, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 305 of the Original Indenture and Article V hereof (including the restrictions on transfer set forth therein and herein) and the rules and procedures of the Depositary therefor, which shall include restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth therein and herein to the extent required by the Securities Act.
Section 502 Legends.
(a) Except as provided in this Section 502(a) and as permitted by
Section 502(b) and (c) hereof, each certificate evidencing the Global Notes or
certificated notes in definitive form (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor
or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following
form:
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II)
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE
WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY
RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES
(I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS
OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH
SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE
SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A)
ABOVE.
Except as permitted by Sections 502(b) and (c) hereof, each certificate evidencing the Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS SECURITY, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED SECURITIES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THIS SECURITY AND PURSUANT TO THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).
Except as permitted by Sections 502(b) and (c) hereof, each certificate evidencing the Global Notes or certificated notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
Each certificate evidencing the Global Notes also shall bear the legend specified for Global Notes in the form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(b) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security
(including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Note)
pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act or an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, which shall be certified to the Trustee and Security Registrar upon which each may conclusively rely:
(i) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a certificated note, the Security Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a certificated note that does not bear the legend set forth in Section 502(a) hereof and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security; and
(ii) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global Note, such Transfer Restricted Security shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in Section 502(a) hereof if all other interests in such Global Note have been or are concurrently being sold or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with Section 303 of the Original Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate 2008 Series B Notes in exchange for 2008 Series A Notes and 2015 Series B Notes in exchange for 2015 Series A Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer, which 2008 Series B Notes and 2015 Series B Notes shall not bear the legend set forth in Section 502(a) hereof and shall not provide for Additional Interest, and the Security Registrar shall rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Notes, in each case unless the Holder of such 2008 Series A Notes or 2015 Series A Notes (A) is a broker-dealer tendering Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or an "affiliate" (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company for its own account, (B) is a Person who at the time of consummation of the Exchange Offer has an arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the "distribution" (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the 2008 Series B Notes or the 2015 Series B Notes, (C) is a Person who is an "affiliate" (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company or (D) is a Person who will not be acquiring the 2008 Series B Notes or the 2015 Series B Notes in the ordinary course of such Holder's business. The Company shall identify to the Trustee such Holders of the Notes in a written certification signed by an officer of the Company and, absent certification from the Company to such effect, the Trustee shall assume that there are no such Holders.
Section 503 Registration Rights Agreement. The Company shall perform its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and shall comply in all material respects with the terms and conditions contained therein including, without limitation, the payment of Additional Interest.
Section 504 Delivery of Certain Information. At any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, upon the request of a Holder or any beneficial holder of Notes, the Company will promptly furnish or cause to be furnished Rule 144A Information (as defined below) to such Holder or any beneficial holder of Notes, or to a prospective purchaser of any such security designated by any such holder, as the case may be, to the extent required to permit compliance by such Holder or holder with Rule 144A under the Securities Act in connection with the resale of any such security. "Rule 144A Information" shall be such information as is specified pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
ARTICLE VI
Remedies; Modification and Waiver
Section 601 Additional Events of Default; Acceleration of Maturity.
(a) Solely with respect to the applicable series of Notes issued hereby, Section 501(1) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:
"(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series, including Additional Interest, if any, when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;"
(b) Solely with respect to the Notes issued hereby, Section 501(5) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:
"(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston or of any substantial part of its respective property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its respective affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; provided that any specified event in (A) or (B) involving CERC or CenterPoint Houston shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC or CenterPoint Houston, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or"
(c) Solely with respect to the Notes issued hereby, Section 501(6) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:
"(6) the commencement by the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by any of them to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against any of them, or the filing by any of them of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by any of them to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston or of any substantial part of its respective property, or the making by any of them of an assignment of a substantial part of its respective property for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by any of them in writing of the inability of any of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston to pay its respective debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in furtherance of any such action; provided that any such specified event involving CERC or CenterPoint Houston shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC or CenterPoint Houston, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or"
(d) Solely with respect to the Notes issued hereby in the case of
(i) below and solely with respect to the applicable series of Notes issued
hereby in the case of (ii) below, and pursuant to Section 501(7) of the Original
Indenture, the following shall each constitute an "Event of Default" in addition
to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:
"(i) The default by the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in a scheduled payment at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, in the aggregate principal amount of $50 million or more, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of any Indebtedness or the acceleration of any Indebtedness of the Company, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in such aggregate principal amount, so that it becomes due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable and such payment default is not cured or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after notice to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indebtedness; provided that such payment default or acceleration of CERC or CenterPoint Houston shall not to be an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs,
CERC or CenterPoint Houston, as the case may be, shall not be an Affiliate of the Company; and
(ii) The Company defaults in its obligation to redeem the Notes of that series after exercising its redemption option pursuant to Article IV hereof;".
Section 602 Modification and Waiver. In addition to those matters set forth in Section 902 of the Indenture, with respect to the Notes, no amendment or supplemental indenture shall without the consent of the Holder of each Note affected thereby alter the manner of calculation or rate of Additional Amounts payable on any Note or extend the time for payment of any such amount.
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 701 The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture No. 2, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.
Section 702 This Supplemental Indenture No. 2 may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 703 THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 2 AND EACH NOTE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
Section 704 If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 2 limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included herein by any provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.
Section 705 In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 2 or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture No. 2 to be duly executed, as of the day and year first written above.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
By: /s/ Gary L. Whitlock
----------------------------------
Name: Gary L. Whitlock
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Attest:
/s/ Richard B. Dauphin
------------------------------------
Name: Richard B. Dauphin
Title: Assistant Corporate Secretary
|
(SEAL)
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as Trustee
By: /s/ Carol Logan
----------------------------------
Name: Carol Logan
Title: Vice President and Trust
Officer
|
(SEAL)
Exhibit A
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[Rule 144A Global Note]
[Regulation S Global Note]
[Certificated Note]
[IF THIS SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL NOTE -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY
WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN
THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS
EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE
DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE
INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.
[For as long as this Global Security is deposited with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company it shall bear the following legend.] Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to CenterPoint Energy, Inc. or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
% Senior Notes due , Series [A/B]
No. __________ $ __________ *
CUSIP No. ________
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CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the "Company", which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _______________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________ Dollars on , and to pay interest thereon from May 27, 2003 or from the most recent Interest ____________
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for,
semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 in each year, commencing December 1,
2003, at the rate of % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or
made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any
such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate
of % per annum (to the extent permitted by applicable law), from the dates such
amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such
interest shall be payable on demand. The amount of interest payable for any
period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day
year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any
partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this
Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such
date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and
without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the
same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable.
A "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on
which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by
law, regulation or executive order to close. The interest so payable, and
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as
provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be May 15 or November
15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such
Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided
for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record
Date and shall either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one
or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by
the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this
series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at
any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of
any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of
this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by
such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said
Indenture.
Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
[DELETE THE FOLLOWING TWO-PARAGRAPH LEGEND, IF A REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE.]
[THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION
EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED
STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.]
[INSERT IF A TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE] [THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS
SECURITY, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR
CERTIFICATED SECURITIES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THIS SECURITY AND PURSUANT TO THE
INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).]
[INSERT REGULATION S LEGEND, IF A REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE] [THIS SECURITY (OR
ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
"SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR
THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO
THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
Dated: _____________________ CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
By: ________________________________
Name:
(SEAL) Title:
Attest:
_____________________________
Name:
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Title:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
As Trustee
Date of Authentication:________________
By:__________________________________ Authorized Signatory
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
% NOTES DUE , SERIES [A/B]
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the "Indenture", which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $200,000,000; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.
The Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities of this series, in whole or in part, at its option at any time from time to time at a price equal to (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, including Additional Interest, if any, to (but excluding) the Redemption Date plus (iii) the Make-Whole Premium, if any.
The amount of the Make-Whole Premium with respect to any Security of this Series (or portion thereof) to be redeemed will be equal to the excess, if any, of: (i) the sum of the present values, calculated as of the Redemption Date, of: (A) each interest payment that, but for such redemption, would have been payable on the Securities of this series (or portion thereof) being redeemed on each Interest Payment Date occurring after the Redemption Date (excluding any accrued and unpaid interest for the period prior to the Redemption Date); and (B) the principal amount that, but for such redemption, would have been payable at [insert maturity date of the Securities of this series] (or portion thereof) being redeemed; over (ii) the principal amount of the Securities of this series (or portion thereof) being redeemed. The present values of interest and principal payments referred to in clause (i) above will be determined in accordance with generally accepted principles of financial analysis. Such present values will be calculated by discounting the amount of each payment of interest or principal from the date that each such payment would have been payable, but for the redemption, to the Redemption Date at a discount rate equal to the Comparable Treasury Yield (as defined below) plus 50 basis points.
For purposes of determining the Make-Whole Premium, "Comparable Treasury Yield" means a rate of interest per annum equal to the weekly average yield to maturity of United States Treasury securities that have a constant maturity that corresponds to the remaining term to maturity of the Securities of this series, calculated to the nearest 1/12th of a year (the "Remaining Term"). The Comparable Treasury Yield shall be determined as of the third Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date.
The weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities shall be determined by reference to the most recent statistical release published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "H.15 (519) Selected Interest Rates" or any successor release (the "H.15 Statistical Release"). If the H.15 Statistical Release sets forth a weekly average yield for United States Treasury securities having a constant maturity that is the same as the Remaining Term, then the Comparable Treasury Yield shall be equal to such weekly average yield. In all other cases, the Comparable Treasury Yield shall be calculated by interpolation, on a straight-line basis, between the weekly average yields on the United States Treasury securities that have a constant maturity closest to and greater than the Remaining Term and the United States Treasury securities that have a constant maturity closest to and less than the Remaining Term (in each case as set forth in the H.15 Statistical Release). Any weekly average yields so calculated by interpolation shall be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward. If weekly average yields for United States Treasury securities are not available in the H.15 Statistical Release or otherwise, then the Comparable Treasury Yield shall be calculated by interpolation of comparable rates selected by the Independent Investment Banker.
In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
The Securities of this series are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange
herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; provided, however, that Securities of this series that are Transfer Restricted Securities issued to institutional accredited investors will be issued only in denominations of $250,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of
like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
By its acceptance of this Security bearing a legend restricting transfer, each Holder of this Security acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of this Security set forth in the Indenture and such legend and agrees that it will transfer this Security only as provided in the Indenture. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of this Security under the Indenture, Holders shall have all the rights set forth in that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2003, among the Company and the Initial Purchasers, including without limitation the right to receive Additional Interest as described in Section 2.5 thereof.
THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
SCHEDULE A
SCHEDULE OF ADJUSTMENTS
The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is _______________. The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate.
Aggregate Principal
Decrease in Aggregate Increase in Aggregate Amount of Securities Notation by
Date of Principal Amount of Principal Amount of Remaining After Such Security
Adjustment Securities Securities Decrease or Increase Registrar
---------- --------------------- --------------------- -------------------- -----------
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Exhibit B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE
OR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF SECURITIES
Re: % Senior Notes due , Series A, of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the "Company")
This Certificate relates to $_____ principal amount of Notes held in *______ book-entry or *______ definitive form by _____________________ (the "Transferor").
The Transferor has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes.
In connection with such request and in respect of each such Note, the Transferor does hereby certify that the Transferor is familiar with the Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (as amended or supplemented to date, the "Indenture"), between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, (the "Trustee") relating to the above-captioned Notes and that the transfer of this Note does not require registration under the Securities Act (as defined below) because:*
[ ] Such Note is being acquired for the Transferor's own account without transfer.
[ ] Such Note is being transferred (i) to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")), in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or (ii) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act (and in the case of clause (ii), based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company or the Trustee so requests, together with a certification in substantially the form of Exhibit C to Supplemental Indenture No. 2 to the Indenture).
[ ] Such Note is being transferred (i) pursuant to an exemption
from registration in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (and
based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company or the Trustee so requests) or
(ii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
[ ] Such Note is being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company or the Trustee so requests).
You are entitled to rely upon this certificate and you are irrevocably authorized to produce this certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
Address:
Date: _______________________
Exhibit C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION
WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S
_______________, ______
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Security Registrar
600 Travis, Suite 1150
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Institutional Trust Services
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed sale of certain % Senior Notes due , Series A (the "Notes"), of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the "Company"), we represent that:
(i) the offer or sale of the Notes was made in an "offshore transaction";
(ii) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States;
(iii) no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(a) or Rule 904(a) of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as applicable;
(iv) if this transfer of the Note is being made prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, such interest that is being transferred is held immediately thereafter through The Euroclear System or Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme; and
(v) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and you are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
Very truly yours,
Name of Transferor:
By: _________________________________
Name:
Title:
Address:
EXHIBIT 99.1
[CENTERPOINT ENERGY LETTERHEAD]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Page 1 of 1
CENTERPOINT ENERGY PRICES $400 MILLION OF SENIOR NOTES
HOUSTON - MAY 21, 2003 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) announced today that it priced $400 million of senior notes in a placement with institutions under Rule 144A. Of the total, $200 million, at an interest rate of 5.875 percent, will be due June 1, 2008 and the remaining $200 million, with an interest rate of 6.85 percent, will be due on June 1, 2015. This transaction is expected to close on May 27, 2003. The net proceeds from this offering will be used to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the company's existing credit facility.
The securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under that Act.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offering would be unlawful.
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