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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
____________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
___________________________ 
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the transition period from:                to                
Commission File Number 001-31560
 _______________________________________
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 _______________________________________
Ireland 98-1597419
(State or other jurisdiction of(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
38/39 Fitzwilliam Square
Dublin 2, Ireland
(Address of principal executive offices)
D02 NX53
(Zip Code)
 
Telephone: (353) (1) 234-3136
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
_______________________________________ 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary Shares, par value $0.00001 per shareSTXThe NASDAQ Global Select Market
_______________________________________ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer☒Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of October 24, 2022, 206,454,363 of the registrant’s ordinary shares, par value $0.00001 per share, were issued and outstanding.



INDEX
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PLC
   PAGE NO.
    
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

2
Table of Contents
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Table of ContentsPage

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3

Table of Contents
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
 September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022
(unaudited)
ASSETS  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$761 $615 
Accounts receivable, net1,098 1,532 
Inventories1,606 1,565 
Other current assets275 321 
Total current assets3,740 4,033 
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net2,196 2,239 
Goodwill1,237 1,237 
Other intangible assets, net5 9 
Deferred income taxes1,137 1,132 
Other assets, net296 294 
Total Assets$8,611 $8,944 
LIABILITIES AND (DEFICIT) EQUITY  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$1,712 $2,058 
Accrued employee compensation106 252 
Accrued warranty66 65 
Current portion of long-term debt636 584 
Accrued expenses618 596 
Total current liabilities3,138 3,555 
Long-term accrued warranty83 83 
Other non-current liabilities128 135 
Long-term debt, less current portion5,613 5,062 
Total Liabilities8,962 8,835 
Commitments and contingencies (See Notes 10 and 12)
Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity:
Ordinary shares and additional paid-in capital7,248 7,190 
Accumulated other comprehensive income73 36 
Accumulated deficit(7,672)(7,117)
Total Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity(351)109 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity$8,611 $8,944 




See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4

Table of Contents
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended
 September 30,
2022		October 1,
2021
Revenue$2,035 $3,115 
 
Cost of revenue1,553 2,159 
Product development234 233 
Marketing and administrative129 133 
Amortization of intangibles3 3 
Restructuring and other, net9 1 
Total operating expenses1,928 2,529 
 
Income from operations107 586 
 
Interest income1 — 
Interest expense(71)(59)
Other, net(10)6 
Other expense, net(80)(53)
 
Income before income taxes27 533 
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes(2)7 
Net income$29 $526 
 
Net income per share:
Basic$0.14 $2.33 
Diluted$0.14 $2.28 
Number of shares used in per share calculations:  
Basic208 226 
Diluted210 231 


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5

Table of Contents
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended
 September 30,
2022		October 1,
2021
Net income$29 $526 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period32 (9)
Losses reclassified into earnings5 3 
Net change37 (6)
Change in unrealized components of post-retirement plans:
Net unrealized gains arising during the period1 1 
Losses reclassified into earnings— 1 
Net change1 2 
Foreign currency translation adjustments(1)— 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax37 (4)
Comprehensive income $66 $522 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6

Table of Contents
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended
 September 30,
2022		October 1,
2021
OPERATING ACTIVITIES  
Net income$29 $526 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
Depreciation and amortization135 104 
Share-based compensation29 34 
Deferred income taxes(5)(4)
Other non-cash operating activities, net13 2 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
Accounts receivable, net434 (143)
Inventories(41)16 
Accounts payable(300)28 
Accrued employee compensation(146)(92)
Accrued expenses, income taxes and warranty4 11 
Other assets and liabilities 93 14 
Net cash provided by operating activities245 496 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES  
Acquisition of property, equipment and leasehold improvements(133)(117)
Proceeds from the sale of assets1 — 
Purchases of investments(1)(18)
Proceeds from sale of investments— 15 
Net cash used in investing activities(133)(120)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
Redemption and repurchase of debt— (6)
Dividends to shareholders(147)(153)
Repurchases of ordinary shares(408)(425)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards(39)(43)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt600 — 
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares under employee stock plans29 33 
Other financing activities, net(1)— 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities34 (594)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash146 (218)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period617 1,211 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period$763 $993 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
7

Table of Contents
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
Number of Ordinary SharesPar Value of SharesAdditional Paid-in CapitalAccumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeAccumulated DeficitTotal
Balance at July 1, 2022210 $— $7,190 $36 $(7,117)$109 
Net income29 29 
Other comprehensive income37 37 
Issuance of ordinary shares under employee share plans2 29 29 
Repurchases of ordinary shares(5)(400)(400)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted share units(1)(39)(39)
Dividends to shareholders ($0.70 per ordinary share)
(145)(145)
Share-based compensation29 29 
Balance at September 30, 2022206 $— $7,248 $73 $(7,672)$(351)
 Number of Ordinary SharesPar Value of SharesAdditional Paid-in CapitalAccumulated Other Comprehensive LossAccumulated DeficitTotal
Balance at July 2, 2021227 $— $6,977 $(41)$(6,305)$631 
Net income526 526 
Other comprehensive loss(4)(4)
Issuance of ordinary shares under employee share plans3 33 33 
Repurchases of ordinary shares(5)(425)(425)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted share units— (43)(43)
Dividends to shareholders ($0.67 per ordinary share)
(151)(151)
Share-based compensation34 34 
Balance at October 1, 2021225 $— $7,044 $(45)$(6,398)$601 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
8

Table of Contents
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PLC
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Seagate Technology Holdings plc (“STX”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, unless the context otherwise indicates, the “Company”) is a leading provider of data storage technology and infrastructure solutions. Its principal products are hard disk drives, commonly referred to as disk drives, hard drives or HDDs. In addition to HDDs, the Company produces a broad range of data storage products including solid state drives (“SSDs”), solid state hybrid drives (“SSHDs”), storage subsystems, as well as a scalable edge-to-cloud mass data platform that includes data transfer shuttles and a storage-as-a-service cloud.
HDDs are devices that store digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating disks with magnetic surfaces. HDDs continue to be the primary medium of mass data storage due to their performance attributes, reliability, high capacities, superior quality and cost effectiveness. Complementing existing storage architectures, SSDs use integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data, and most SSDs use NAND flash memory. In contrast to HDDs and SSDs, SSHDs combine the features of SSDs and HDDs in the same unit, containing a high-capacity HDD and a smaller SSD acting as a cache to improve performance.
The Company’s HDD products are designed for mass capacity storage and legacy markets. Mass capacity storage involves well-established use cases—such as hyperscale data centers and public clouds as well as emerging use cases. Legacy markets include markets the Company continues to sell to but that it does not plan to invest in significantly. The Company’s HDD and SSD product portfolio includes Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, Serial Attached SCSI and Non-Volatile Memory Express based designs to support a wide variety of mass capacity and legacy applications.
The Company’s systems portfolio includes storage subsystems for enterprises, cloud service providers, scale-out storage servers and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). Engineered for modularity, mobility, capacity and performance, these solutions include the Company’s enterprise HDDs and SSDs, enabling customers to integrate powerful, scalable storage within existing environments or create new ecosystems from the ground up in a secure, cost-effective manner.
The Company’s Lyve portfolio provides a simple, cost-efficient and secure way to manage massive volumes of data across the distributed enterprise. The Lyve platform includes a shuttle solution that enables enterprises to transfer massive amounts of data from endpoints to the core cloud, a storage-as-a-service cloud offering that provides frictionless mass capacity storage at the metro edge.
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the accompanying notes were prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The methods, estimates and judgments the Company uses in applying its most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results the Company reports in its condensed consolidated financial statements.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2022 are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 5, 2022. The Company believes that the disclosures included in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, when read in conjunction with its consolidated financial statements as of July 1, 2022, and the notes thereto, are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The results of operations and the cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any subsequent interim period or for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.
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Fiscal Year
The Company operates and reports financial results on a fiscal year of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Friday closest to June 30. In fiscal years with 53 weeks, the first quarter consists of 14 weeks and the remaining quarters consist of 13 weeks each. The three months ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 consisted of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2023 and 2022 both comprise of 52 weeks and end on June 30, 2023 and July 1, 2022, respectively. The fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2022, July 1, 2022 and October 1, 2021, are also referred to herein as the “September 2022 quarter”, the “June 2022 quarter” and the “September 2021 quarter”, respectively.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies disclosed in Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” contained in Part II, Item 8. of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2022, as filed with the SEC on August 5, 2022.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2020-04 (ASC Topic 848), Reference Rate Reform. This ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The Company adopted the guidance in the quarter ended September 30, 2022 on a prospective basis and is transitioning from an interest rate based on London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10 (ASC Topic 832), Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. This ASU requires annual disclosures that increase the transparency of transactions involving government grants, including (1) the type of transactions, (2) the accounting for those transactions and (3) the effect of those transactions on an entity’s financial statements. The Company adopted the guidance in the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-04 (ASC Subtopic 405-50), Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations. This ASU requires disclosure of key terms of the outstanding supplier finance programs and a rollforward of the related obligations. The Company is required to adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03 (ASC Topic 820), Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. This ASU clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of equity security is not considered when measuring its fair value and requires new disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restriction. The Company is required to adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
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2.Balance Sheet Information
Available-for-sale Debt Securities
The following table summarizes, by major type, the fair value and amortized cost of the Company’s available-for-sale debt investments as of September 30, 2022 and July 1, 2022:
September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022
(Dollars in millions)Amortized CostUnrealized Gain/(Loss)Fair ValueAmortized CostUnrealized Gain/(Loss)Fair Value
Available-for-sale debt securities:      
Money market funds$159 $— $159 $60 $— $60 
Time deposits and certificates of deposit1 — 1 1 — 1 
Other debt securities16 — 16 23 — 23 
Total$176 $— $176 $84 $— $84 
Included in Cash and cash equivalents  $158   $59 
Included in Other current assets  2   2 
Included in Other assets, net16 23 
Total  $176   $84 
As of September 30, 2022 and July 1, 2022, the Company’s Other current assets included $2 million in restricted cash equivalents held as collateral at banks for various performance obligations.
As of September 30, 2022 and July 1, 2022, the Company had no material available-for-sale debt securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for a period greater than 12 months. The Company determined no impairment related to credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities as of September 30, 2022.
The fair value and amortized cost of the Company’s investments classified as available-for-sale debt securities as of September 30, 2022, by remaining contractual maturity were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)Amortized CostFair Value
Due in less than 1 year$160 $160 
Due in 1 to 5 years15 15 
Due in 6 to 10 years— — 
Thereafter1 1 
Total$176 $176 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a summary of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets that reconciles to the corresponding amount in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022		October 1,
2021		July 2,
2021
Cash and cash equivalents$761 $615 $991 $1,209 
Restricted cash included in Other current assets2 2 2 2 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Statements of Cash Flows$763 $617 $993 $1,211 


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Accounts receivable, net
In connection with an existing factoring agreement, from time to time the Company sells trade receivables to a third party for cash proceeds less a discount. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company sold trade receivables without recourse for cash proceeds of $200 million. As of September 30, 2022, the total amount that remained subject to servicing by the Company was $237 million. The discounts on receivables sold were not material for the three months ended September 30, 2022. During the three months ended October 1, 2021, the Company did not sell any trade receivables to a third party.
Inventories
The following table provides details of the inventory balance sheet item:
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022
Raw materials and components$648 $601 
Work-in-process402 414 
Finished goods556 550 
Total inventories$1,606 $1,565 
Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, net
The components of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net, were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements$10,699 $10,659 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(8,503)(8,420)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net$2,196 $2,239 
Accrued Expenses
The following table provides details of the accrued expenses balance sheet item:
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022
Dividends payable$145 $147 
Other accrued expenses473 449 
Total$618 $596 











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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”)
The components of AOCI, net of tax, were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Cash Flow HedgesUnrealized Gains/(Losses) on Post-Retirement PlansForeign Currency Translation AdjustmentsTotal
Balance at July 1, 2022$51 $(14)$(1)$36 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 32 1 — 33 
Amounts reclassified from AOCI5 — (1)4 
Other comprehensive income37 1 (1)37 
Balance at September 30, 2022$88 $(13)$(2)$73 
Balance at July 2, 2021$(18)$(22)$(1)$(41)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (9)1 — (8)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI3 1 — 4 
Other comprehensive loss(6)2 — (4)
Balance at October 1, 2021$(24)$(20)$(1)$(45)
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3.Debt
The following table provides details of the Company’s debt as of September 30, 2022 and July 1, 2022:
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022
Unsecured Senior Notes(1)
$1,000 issued on May 22, 2013 at 4.75% due June 1, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”), interest payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year.
$540 $540 
$500 issued on February 3, 2017 at 4.875% due March 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”), interest payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year.
499 499 
$1,000 issued on May 28, 2014 at 4.75% due January 1, 2025 (the “2025 Notes”), interest payable semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 of each year.
479 479 
$700 issued on May 14, 2015 at 4.875% due June 1, 2027 (the “2027 Notes”), interest payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year.
504 504 
$500 issued on June 18, 2020 at 4.091% due June 1, 2029 (the “June 2029 Notes”), interest payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year.
468 466 
$500 issued on December 8, 2020 at 3.125% due July 15, 2029 (the “July 2029 Notes”), interest payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year.
500 500 
$500 issued on June 10, 2020 at 4.125% due January 15, 2031 (the “January 2031 Notes”), interest payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year.
500 500 
$500 issued on December 8, 2020 at 3.375% due July 15, 2031 (the “July 2031 Notes”), interest payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year.
500 500 
$500 issued on December 2, 2014 at 5.75% due December 1, 2034 (the “2034 Notes”), interest payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year.
489 489 
Term Loans
$600 borrowed on October 14, 2021 at SOFR plus a variable margin ranging from 1.125% to 2.375%, (the “Term Loan A1”), repayable in quarterly installments beginning on December 31, 2022, with a final maturity date of September 16, 2025.
600 600 
$600 borrowed on October 14, 2021 at SOFR plus a variable margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.5%, (the “Term Loan A2”), repayable in quarterly installments beginning on December 31, 2022, with a final maturity date of July 30, 2027.
600 600 
$600 borrowed on August 18, 2022 at SOFR plus a variable margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.5%, (the “Term Loan A3”), repayable in quarterly installments beginning on December 31, 2022, with a final maturity date of July 30, 2027.
600 — 
6,279 5,677 
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs(30)(31)
Debt, net of debt issuance costs6,249 5,646 
Less: current portion of long-term debt(636)(584)
Long-term debt, less current portion$5,613 $5,062 
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(1) All unsecured senior notes are issued by Seagate HDD Cayman, and the obligations under these notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior unsecured basis, by Seagate Technology Unlimited Company (“STUC”) and, pursuant to a supplemental indenture dated as of May 18, 2021, STX.
Credit Agreement
The Company’s subsidiary, Seagate HDD Cayman, has a credit agreement, which was most recently amended on August 18, 2022 (the “Credit Agreement”).
Prior to the August 18, 2022 amendment, the Credit Agreement provided a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.2 billion that was extended in two tranches of $600 million each for Term Loans A1 and A2 and a $1.75 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”). Term Loans A1 and A2 were drawn in full on October 14, 2021.
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On August 18, 2022, Seagate Technology Holdings plc and Seagate HDD Cayman (the “Borrower”) entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Sixth Amendment”), which provides for a new term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $600 million (“Term Loan A3”). Term Loan A3 was borrowed in full at the closing of the Sixth Amendment. Term Loan A3 bears interest at a rate of SOFR plus a variable margin of 1.25% to 2.5%, in each case with such margin being determined based on the corporate credit rating of the Borrower or one of its parent entities. Term Loan A3 is repayable in quarterly installments beginning on December 31, 2022 and is scheduled to mature on July 30, 2027.
The Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement also replaced the LIBOR interest rates plus variable margin for the Term Loans A1 and A2 with the SOFR interest rates plus a variable margin that will be determined based on the corporate credit rating of the Borrower or one of its parent entities. The Sixth Amendment also permits the Borrower to increase the revolving loan commitments or obtain new term loans of up to $100 million in aggregate, subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions.
STX and certain of its material subsidiaries, including STUC, fully and unconditionally guarantee both the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loans A1, A2 and A3 (the “Term Loans”).
The Credit Agreement includes three financial covenants: (1) interest coverage ratio, (2) total leverage ratio and (3) a minimum liquidity amount. The Company was in compliance with the covenants as of September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, no borrowings (including swingline loans) were outstanding and no commitments were utilized for letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Future Principal Payments on Long-term Debt
At September 30, 2022, future principal payments on long-term debt were as follows (in millions):
Fiscal YearAmount
Remainder of 2023$608 
2024614 
2025627 
2026629 
2027649 
Thereafter3,188 
Total$6,315 
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4.Income Taxes
The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The income tax benefit included approximately $7 million of net discrete tax benefit, primarily associated with the excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation expense.
During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits excluding interest and penalties increased by approximately $1 million to $115 million, substantially all of which would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, subject to certain future valuation allowance reversals. The Company is not expecting material changes to its unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months beginning October 1, 2022.
The Company’s income tax provision of $7 million for the three months ended October 1, 2021 included approximately $10 million of net discrete tax benefit, primarily associated with net excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation expense.
The Company’s income tax provision recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 differed from the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying the Irish statutory rate of 25% to income before income taxes, primarily due to the net effect of tax benefits related to (i) non-Irish earnings generated in jurisdictions that are subject to tax incentive programs and are considered indefinitely reinvested outside of Ireland and (ii) current year generation of research credits.
5.Restructuring and Exit Costs
The Company recorded restructuring charges of $9 million and $1 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 respectively. The Company’s restructuring plans are comprised primarily of charges related to workforce reduction costs and facilities and other exit costs. All restructuring charges are reported in Restructuring and other, net on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following tables summarize the Company’s restructuring activities under the Company’s active restructuring plans:
(Dollars in millions)Workforce Reduction CostsFacilities and Other Exit CostsTotal
Accrual balances at July 1, 2022
$— $5 $5 
Restructuring charges9 — 9 
Cash payments(3)(1)(4)
Accrual balances at September 30, 2022
$6 $4 $10 
Total costs incurred inception to date as of September 30, 2022
$72 $24 $96 
Total expected charges to be incurred as of September 30, 2022
$— $1 $1 
On October 24, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved and committed to an October 2022 restructuring plan (the “October 2022 Plan”) to reduce its cost structure to better align the Company’s operational needs to current economic conditions while continuing to support the long-term business strategy. The October 2022 Plan includes reducing its worldwide headcount by approximately 3,000 employees, or 8% of the global workforce, along with other cost saving measures.
The October 2022 Plan, which the Company expects to be substantially completed by the end of the fiscal second quarter 2023, is expected to result in total pre-tax charges between $60 million and $70 million. These charges are expected to be primarily cash-based and consist of employee severance and other one-time termination benefits.
6.Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate, interest rate and to a lesser extent, equity market risks relating to its ongoing business operations. From time to time, the Company enters into cash flow hedges in the form of foreign currency forward exchange contracts in order to manage the foreign currency exchange rate risk on forecasted expenses and investments denominated in foreign currencies.
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The Company enters into certain interest rate swap agreements to convert the variable interest rate on its Term Loans to fixed interest rates. The objective of the interest rate swap agreements is to eliminate the variability of interest payment cash flows associated with the variable interest rate under the Term Loans. The Company designates the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. On September 26, 2022, the Company terminated its then existing interest rate swap agreements related to Term Loans A1 and A2 and received cash proceeds of $110 million from the counterparty. The cash proceeds are reported within Net cash provided by operating activities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company discontinued the related hedge accounting prospectively and as a result the realized gain of $110 million continues to be reported in AOCI and is amortized to Interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations over the remaining period of the Term Loans A1 and A2.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Company entered into new interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount of $1.6 billion, to convert the variable interest rate on certain principal amounts of the Term Loans drawn under its Credit Agreement, of which $600 million will mature in September 2025 and $1.0 billion will mature in July 2027.
The Company’s accounting policies for these instruments are based on whether the instruments are classified as designated or non-designated hedging instruments. The Company records all derivatives on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The changes in the fair value of highly effective designated cash flow hedges are recorded in AOCI until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments or are not assessed to be highly effective are adjusted to fair value through earnings. The amount of net unrealized loss on cash flow hedges was $23 million and net unrealized gain was $51 million as of September 30, 2022 and as of July 1, 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, the amount of existing net gains related to cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI included a net loss of $3 million that is expected to be reclassified to earnings within twelve months.
The Company de-designates its cash flow hedges when the forecasted hedged transactions affect earnings or it is probable the forecasted hedged transactions will not occur in the initially identified time period. At such time, the associated gains and losses deferred in AOCI on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are reclassified into earnings and any subsequent changes in the fair value of such derivative instruments are immediately reflected in earnings. The Company recognized a net loss of $7 million and gain of $2 million in Cost of revenue and Interest expense, respectively, related to the gain and loss of hedge designation on discontinued cash flow hedges during the three months ended September 30, 2022. The Company recognized a net loss of $2 million and $1 million in Cost of revenue and Interest expense, respectively, related to the loss of hedge designation on discontinued cash flow hedges during the three months ended October 1, 2021.
Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist of foreign currency forward exchange contracts that the Company uses to hedge the foreign currency exposure on forecasted expenditures denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company also enters into foreign currency forward contracts with contractual maturities of less than one month, which are designed to mitigate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on monetary assets and liabilities. The Company recognizes gains and losses on these contracts, as well as the related costs in Other, net on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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The following tables show the total notional value of the Company’s outstanding foreign currency forward exchange contracts as of September 30, 2022 and July 1, 2022. All of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts mature within 12 months.
 As of September 30, 2022
(Dollars in millions)Contracts Designated as HedgesContracts Not Designated as Hedges
Singapore Dollar$171 $72 
Thai Baht132 47 
Chinese Renminbi89 30 
British Pound Sterling61 24 
Total$453 $173 
 As of July 1, 2022
(Dollars in millions)Contracts Designated as HedgesContracts Not Designated as Hedges
Singapore Dollar$178 $52 
Thai Baht133 35 
Chinese Renminbi92 24 
British Pound Sterling64 15 
Total$467 $126 
The Company is subject to equity market risks due to changes in the fair value of the notional investments selected by its employees as part of its non-qualified deferred compensation plan: the Seagate Deferred Compensation Plan (the “SDCP”). In fiscal year 2014, the Company entered into a Total Return Swap (“TRS”) in order to manage the equity market risks associated with the SDCP’s liabilities. The Company pays a floating rate, based on LIBOR plus an interest rate spread, on the notional amount of the TRS. The TRS is designed to substantially offset changes in the SDCP’s liabilities due to changes in the value of the investment options made by employees. As of September 30, 2022, the notional investments underlying the TRS amounted to $98 million and the contract term is through January 2023, settled on a monthly basis, limiting counterparty performance risk. The Company did not designate the TRS as a hedge. Rather, the Company records all changes in the fair value of the TRS to earnings to offset the market value changes of the SDCP’s liabilities.
The following tables show the Company’s derivative instruments measured at gross fair value as reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022 and July 1, 2022:
As of September 30, 2022
 Derivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
(Dollars in millions)Balance Sheet LocationFair ValueBalance Sheet LocationFair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:    
Foreign currency forward exchange contractsOther current assets$— Accrued expenses$(29)
Interest rate swapOther current assets9 Accrued expenses(3)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:  
Foreign currency forward exchange contractsOther current assets— Accrued expenses(11)
Total return swapOther current assets— Accrued expenses(11)
Total derivatives $9  $(54)
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As of July 1, 2022
 Derivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
(Dollars in millions)Balance Sheet LocationFair ValueBalance Sheet LocationFair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:    
Foreign currency forward exchange contractsOther current assets$— Accrued expenses$(14)
Interest rate swapOther current assets65 Accrued expenses— 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:  
Foreign currency forward exchange contractsOther current assets— Accrued expenses(5)
Total return swapOther current assets— Accrued expenses(4)
Total derivatives $65  $(23)
The following tables show the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2022:
(Dollars in millions)
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on DerivativesAmount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Foreign currency forward exchange contractsOther, net$(10)
Total return swapOperating expenses(8)

(Dollars in millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)Location of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts$(20)Cost of revenue$(7)Other, net$(1)
Interest rate swap52 Interest expense2 Interest expense— 
The following table shows the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended October 1, 2021:
(Dollars in millions)
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on DerivativesAmount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Foreign currency forward exchange contractsOther, net$(4)
Total return swapOperating expenses(1)

(Dollars in millions)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)Location of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts$(9)Cost of revenue$(2)Other, net$1 
Interest rate swap— Interest expense(1)Interest expense— 
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7.Fair Value
Measurement of Fair Value
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact, and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
Fair Value Hierarchy
A fair value hierarchy is based on whether the market participant assumptions used in determining fair value are obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) or reflect the Company’s own assumptions of market participant valuation (unobservable inputs). A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2 - Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are inactive; quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; or
Level 3 - Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
The Company considers an active market to be one in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis and views an inactive market as one in which there are few transactions for the asset or liability, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers. Where appropriate, the Company’s or the counterparty’s non-performance risk is considered in determining the fair values of liabilities and assets, respectively.
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Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities, by financial instrument type and balance sheet line item, that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding accrued interest components, as of:
September 30, 2022July 1, 2022
 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date UsingFair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(Dollars in millions)Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Total BalanceQuoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Total Balance
Assets:
Money market funds$158 $— $— $158 $59 $— $— $59 
Total cash equivalents158 — — 158 59 — — 59 
Restricted cash and investments:    
Money market funds1 — — 1 1 — — 1 
Time deposits and certificates of deposit— 1 — 1 — 1 — 1 
Other debt securities— — 16 16 — — 23 23 
Derivative assets— 9 — 9 — 65 — 65 
Total assets$159 $10 $16 $185 $60 $66 $23 $149 
Liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities$— $54 $— $54 $— $23 $— $23 
Total liabilities$— $54 $— $54 $— $23 $— $23 
September 30, 2022July 1, 2022
 Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date UsingFair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(Dollars in millions)Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Total BalanceQuoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Total Balance
Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents$158 $— $— $158 $59 $— $— $59 
Other current assets1 10 — 11 1 66 — 67 
Other assets, net— — 16 16 — — 23 23 
Total assets$159 $10 $16 $185 $60 $66 $23 $149 
Liabilities:    
Accrued expenses$— $54 $— $54 $— $23 $— $23 
Total liabilities$— $54 $— $54 $— $23 $— $23 
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The Company classifies items in Level 1 if the financial assets consist of securities for which quoted prices are available in an active market.
The Company classifies items in Level 2 if the financial asset or liability is valued using observable inputs. The Company uses observable inputs including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets include: agency bonds, corporate bonds, commercial paper, municipal bonds, U.S. Treasuries, time deposits and certificates of deposit. These debt investments are priced using observable inputs and valuation models which vary by asset class. The Company uses a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of all of its cash equivalents. For the cash equivalents in the Company’s portfolio, multiple pricing sources are generally available. The pricing service uses inputs from multiple industry-standard data providers or other third-party sources and various methodologies, such as weighting and models, to determine the appropriate price at the measurement date. The Company corroborates the prices obtained from the pricing service against other independent sources and, as of September 30, 2022, has not found it necessary to make any adjustments to the prices obtained. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are also classified within Level 2. The Company’s derivative financial instruments consist of foreign currency forward exchange contracts, interest rate swaps and the TRS. The Company recognizes derivative financial instruments in its condensed consolidated financial statements at fair value. The Company determines the fair value of these instruments by considering the estimated amount it would pay or receive to terminate these agreements at the reporting date.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
From time to time, the Company enters into certain strategic investments for the promotion of business and strategic objectives, which are accounted for either under the equity method or the measurement alternative. If measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, these investments would generally be classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
For the investments that are accounted for under the equity method, the Company recorded a net loss of $3 million and gain of $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021, respectively. The adjusted carrying value of the investments accounted for under the equity method amounted to $58 million and $61 million as of September 30, 2022 and July 1, 2022, respectively.
For the investments that are accounted for under the measurement alternative, the Company recorded $3 million of net gains, which remains unrealized, for the three months ended September 30, 2022, related to upward adjustments due to observable price changes. The Company recorded a net gain of $6 million for the three months ended October 1, 2021, of which $5 million is unrealized as of October 1, 2021, related to upward adjustments due to observable price changes. As of September 30, 2022 and July 1, 2022, the carrying value of the Company’s strategic investments under the measurement alternative was $99 million and $88 million, respectively.
Other Fair Value Disclosures
The Company’s debt is carried at amortized cost. The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt is derived using the closing price of the same debt instruments as of the date of valuation, which takes into account the yield curve, interest rates and other observable inputs. Accordingly, these fair value measurements are categorized as Level 2. The following table presents the fair value and amortized cost of the Company’s debt in order of maturity:
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 September 30, 2022July 1, 2022
(Dollars in millions)Carrying AmountEstimated Fair ValueCarrying AmountEstimated Fair Value
4.750% Senior Notes due June 2023$540 $537 $540 $538 
4.875% Senior Notes due March 2024499 489 499 494 
4.750% Senior Notes due January 2025479 457 479 471 
4.875% Senior Notes due June 2027504 457 504 483 
4.091% Senior Notes due June 2029468 396 466 427 
3.125% Senior Notes due July 2029500 368 500 396 
4.125% Senior Notes due January 2031500 375 500 410 
3.375% Senior Notes due July 2031500 350 500 393 
5.750% Senior Notes due December 2034489 386 489 433 
SOFR Based Term Loan A1 due September 2025 (1)
600 589 600 588 
SOFR Based Term Loan A2 due July 2027 (1)
600 581 600 586 
SOFR Based Term Loan A3 due July 2027600 584 — — 
$6,279 $5,569 $5,677 $5,219 
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs(30)— (31)— 
Debt, net of debt issuance costs$6,249 $5,569 $5,646 $5,219 
Less: current portion of debt, net of debt issuance costs(636)(630)(584)(582)
Long-term debt, less current portion, net of debt issuance costs$5,613 $4,939 $5,062 $4,637 
_________________________________
(1) On August 18, 2022, the Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement replaced the LIBOR interest rates plus variable margin of Term Loans A1 and A2 with the SOFR interest rates plus a variable margin. Refer to “Note 3. Debt” for more details.

8.Shareholders’ Deficit
Share Capital
The Company’s authorized share capital is $13,500 and consists of 1,250,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.00001, of which 206,434,139 shares were outstanding as of September 30, 2022, and 100,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.00001, of which none were issued or outstanding as of September 30, 2022.
Ordinary shares - Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”). Upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, after required payments are made to holders of preferred shares, any remaining assets of the Company will be distributed ratably to holders of the preferred and ordinary shares. Holders of shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote, including the election of directors.
Preferred shares - The Company may issue preferred shares in one or more series, up to the authorized amount, without shareholder approval. The Board of Directors is authorized to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series, and to fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each wholly unissued series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions. The Board of Directors can also increase or decrease the number of shares of a series, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding, without any further vote or action by the shareholders.
The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of preferred shares with voting or conversion rights that could harm the voting power or other rights of the holders of the ordinary shares. The issuance of preferred shares, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and might harm the market price of its ordinary shares and the voting and other rights of the holders of ordinary shares.
Repurchases of Equity Securities
All repurchases are effected as redemptions in accordance with the Company’s Constitution.
As of September 30, 2022, $1.9 billion remained available for repurchase under the existing repurchase authorization limit.
The following table sets forth information with respect to repurchases of the Company’s ordinary shares during the three months ended September 30, 2022:
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(In millions)Number of Shares RepurchasedDollar Value of Shares Repurchased
Repurchases of ordinary shares (1)
5 $400 
Tax withholding related to vesting of equity awards1 39 
Total6 $439 
_________________________________
(1) These amounts differ from the repurchases of ordinary shares amounts in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows due to timing differences between repurchases and cash settlement thereof.
9.Revenue
The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by sales channel and geographical region for the Company’s single reportable segment:
For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		October 1,
2021
Revenues by Channel 
OEMs$1,545 $2,288 
Distributors299 507 
Retailers191 320 
Total$2,035 $3,115 
Revenues by Geography (1)
Asia Pacific$801 $1,583 
Americas936 1,079 
EMEA298 453 
Total$2,035 $3,115 
_________________________________
(1) Revenue is attributed to geography based on bill from locations.
10.Guarantees
Indemnification Obligations
The Company from time to time enters into agreements with customers, suppliers, partners and others in the ordinary course of business that provide indemnification for certain matters including, but not limited to, intellectual property infringement claims, environmental claims and breach of agreement claims. The nature of the Company’s indemnification obligations prevents the Company from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount it could be required to pay. Historically, the Company has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements and no amount has been accrued in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.
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Product Warranty
The Company estimates probable product warranty costs at the time revenue is recognized. The Company generally warrants its products for a period of 1 to 5 years. The Company uses estimated repair or replacement costs and uses statistical modeling to estimate product warranty return rates in order to determine its warranty obligation. Changes in the Company’s product warranty liability during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 were as follows:
 For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		October 1,
2021
Balance, beginning of period$148 $136 
Warranties issued13 21 
Repairs and replacements(24)(23)
Changes in liability for pre-existing warranties, including expirations12 6 
Balance, end of period$149 $140 

11.Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period and the number of additional shares that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding options, unvested restricted share units and performance-based share units and shares to be purchased under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, an increase in fair market value of the Company’s share price can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive securities. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share attributable to the shareholders of the Company:
 For the Three Months Ended
(In millions, except per share data)September 30,
2022		October 1,
2021
Numerator:  
Net income $29 $526 
Number of shares used in per share calculations:  
Total shares for purposes of calculating basic net income per share
208 226 
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:  
Employee equity award plans2 5 
Total shares for purposes of calculating diluted net income per share210 231 
Net income per share:
  
Basic$0.14 $2.33 
Diluted$0.14 $2.28 
The anti-dilutive shares related to employee equity award plans that were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share were not material for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021.
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12.Legal, Environmental and Other Contingencies
The Company assesses the probability of an unfavorable outcome of all its material litigation, claims or assessments to determine whether a liability had been incurred and whether it is probable that one or more future events will occur confirming the fact of the loss. In the event that an unfavorable outcome is determined to be probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company establishes an accrual for the litigation, claim or assessment. In addition, in the event an unfavorable outcome is determined to be less than probable, but reasonably possible, the Company will disclose an estimate of the possible loss or range of such loss; however, when a reasonable estimate cannot be made, the Company will provide disclosure to that effect. Litigation is inherently uncertain and may result in adverse rulings or decisions. Additionally, the Company may enter into settlements or be subject to judgments that may, individually, or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its results of operations. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially.
Litigation
Lambeth Magnetic Structures LLC, v. Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc., et al. On April 29, 2016, Lambeth Magnetic Structures LLC filed a complaint against Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc. and Seagate Technology LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,128,988, “Magnetic Material Structures, Devices and Methods”. The complaint seeks damages as well as additional relief. The Company believes the claims asserted in the complaint are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this case. The court issued its claim construction ruling on October 18, 2017. The trial began on April 4, 2022. On April 14, 2022, the jury returned a verdict of non-infringement for Seagate finding that Seagate had not infringed any of the asserted claims. The district court entered judgement in favor of Seagate on April 19, 2022. The parties filed post-trial motions with the district court in May 2022. The court has not yet set a hearing date for these motions.
Seagate Technology LLC, et al. v. Headway Technologies, Inc, et al. On February 18, 2020, Seagate Technology LLC, Seagate Technology (Thailand) Ltd., Seagate Singapore International Headquarters Pte. Ltd. and Seagate Technology International (collectively, the “Seagate Entities”) filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against defendant suppliers of HDD suspension assemblies. Defendants include NHK Spring Co. Ltd., TDK Corporation, Hutchinson Technology Inc. and several of their subsidiaries and affiliates. The complaint includes federal and state antitrust law claims, as well as a breach of contract claim. The complaint alleges that defendants and their co-conspirators knowingly conspired for more than twelve years not to compete in the supply of suspension assemblies; that defendants misused confidential information that the Seagate Entities had provided pursuant to nondisclosure agreements, in breach of their contractual obligations; and that the Seagate Entities paid artificially high prices on purchases of suspension assemblies. The Seagate Entities seek to recover the overcharges they paid for suspension assemblies, as well as additional relief permitted by law. On March 22, 2022, the Seagate Entities dismissed with prejudice all claims being asserted against Defendants TDK Corporation, Hutchinson Technology Inc. and their subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively “TDK”) relating to the antitrust law claims, the breach of contract claim and other matters described in the complaint. On April 1, 2022, the Seagate Entities and TDK filed a Stipulation for Dismissal with Prejudice to dismiss with prejudice all claims against TDK. On August 2, 2022, NHK Spring Co. Ltd. filed a motion for Partial Summary Judgment Regarding Foreign Commerce and on October 14, 2022, Seagate Entities’ filed its corresponding opposition. A trial date has not been set.
Environmental Matters
The Company’s operations are subject to U.S. and foreign laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing discharges of pollutants into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes and the cleanup of contaminated sites. Some of the Company’s operations require environmental permits and controls to prevent and reduce air and water pollution, and these permits are subject to modification, renewal and revocation by issuing authorities.
The Company has established environmental management systems and continually updates its environmental policies and standard operating procedures for its operations worldwide. The Company believes that its operations are in material compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations and permits. The Company budgets for operating and capital costs on an ongoing basis to comply with environmental laws. If additional or more stringent requirements are imposed on the Company in the future, it could incur additional operating costs and capital expenditures.
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Some environmental laws, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (as amended, the “Superfund” law) and its state equivalents, can impose liability for the cost of cleanup of contaminated sites upon any of the current or former site owners or operators or upon parties who sent waste to these sites, regardless of whether the owner or operator owned the site at the time of the release of hazardous substances or the lawfulness of the original disposal activity. The Company has been identified as a responsible or potentially responsible party at several sites. At each of these sites, the Company has an assigned portion of the financial liability based on the type and amount of hazardous substances disposed of by each party at the site and the number of financially viable parties. The Company has fulfilled its responsibilities at some of these sites and remains involved in only a few at this time.
While the Company’s ultimate costs in connection with these sites is difficult to predict with complete accuracy, based on its current estimates of cleanup costs and its expected allocation of these costs, the Company does not expect costs in connection with these sites to be material.
The Company may be subject to various state, federal and international laws and regulations governing the environment, including those restricting the presence of certain substances in electronic products. For example, the European Union (“EU”) enacted the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (2011/65/EU), which prohibits the use of certain substances, including lead, in certain products, including disk drives and server storage products, put on the market after July 1, 2006. Similar legislation has been or may be enacted in other jurisdictions, including in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, China, Japan and others. The EU REACH Directive (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals, EC 1907/2006) also restricts substances of very high concern in products. If the Company or its suppliers fails to comply with the substance restrictions, recycle requirements or other environmental requirements as they are enacted worldwide, it could have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s business.
Other Matters
On August 29, 2022, the Company received a proposed charging letter (“PCL”) from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), alleging violations of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). The PCL alleges the Company acted in violation of the EAR by providing its HDDs to a customer and its affiliates listed on the BIS Entity List between August 2020 and September 2021. The Company believes these allegations are without merit and will defend itself vigorously. The Company has responded to the PCL, setting forth its position that it did not engage in prohibited conduct as alleged by BIS, because, among other reasons, Seagate’s HDDs are not subject to the EAR.
The matters raised by the PCL remain unresolved at this time, and there can be no assurance as to the timing or terms of any final outcome. The Company is unable at this time to estimate the range of loss and/or penalty, if any, although it is possible that the outcome could have a material impact on its business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. The Company believes that it has complied with all relevant export control laws and regulations. The Company has committed to compliance through its global team of international trade compliance and legal professionals and by maintaining robust trade controls, compliance policies and procedures. The Company has been cooperating with BIS and intends to continue to engage with BIS to seek a resolution of this matter.
The Company is involved in a number of other judicial, regulatory or administrative proceedings and investigations incidental to its business, and the Company may be involved in such proceedings and investigations arising in the normal course of its business in the future. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, the Company believes that the final disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.
13.Subsequent Events
Dividend Declared
On October 26, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.70 per share, which will be payable on January 5, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 21, 2022.
Restructuring Plan
On October 24, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved and committed to a plan to reduce its cost structure to better align the Company’s operational needs to current economic conditions while continuing to support the long-term business strategy. See “Note 5. Restructuring and Exit Costs” for more information.


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ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations for our fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2022, July 1, 2022 and October 1, 2021, referred to herein as the “September 2022 quarter,” the “June 2022 quarter,” and the “September 2021 quarter,” respectively. We operate and report financial results on a fiscal year of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Friday closest to June 30. The September 2022 quarter, June 2022 quarter and the September 2021 quarter were each 13 weeks.
You should read this discussion in conjunction with financial information and related notes included elsewhere in this report. Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used herein, the terms “we,” “us,” “Seagate,” the “Company” and “our” refer collectively to Seagate Technology Holdings plc, an Irish public limited company, and its subsidiaries. References to “$” or “dollars” are to United States dollars.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical fact. Forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include, among other things, statements about our plans, strategies and prospects; market demand for our products; shifts in technology; estimates of industry growth; effects of the economic conditions worldwide resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; expectations regarding the outcome of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security’s inquiry and proposed charging letter; our ability to effectively manage our cash liquidity position and debt obligations and comply with the covenants in our credit facilities; our restructuring efforts; the sufficiency of our sources of cash to meet cash needs for the next 12 months; our expectations regarding capital expenditures; and projected cost savings for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “will continue,” “can,” “could,” or negative of these words, variations of these words and comparable terminology. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are based on management’s current views and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are conditioned upon and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors may be beyond our control and may pose a risk to our operating and financial condition. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
•the uncertainty in the global economy including higher inflationary pressures, increase in interest rates and other adverse changes in the level of economic activity in the major regions in which we do business;
•changes in or adverse outcomes in the Company’s legal proceedings, including regulatory inquires and investigations and related matters;
•the timing of development and introduction of products based on new technologies and expansion into new data storage markets and market acceptance of new products;
•the impact of competitive product announcements and unexpected advances in competing technologies or changes in market trends;
•the impact of variable demand, including ongoing demand variation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in market demand and an adverse pricing environment for storage products;
•the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related individual, business and government responses on the global economy and their impact on the Company's business, operations and financial results, including impacts to the Company's supply chain resulting from governments' policies and approaches to containing COVID-19;
•the Company’s ability to effectively manage its debt obligations and comply with certain covenants in its credit facilities with respect to financial ratios and financial condition tests and its ability to maintain a favorable cash liquidity position;
•the Company’s ability to successfully qualify, manufacture and sell its storage products in increasing volumes on a cost-effective basis and with acceptable quality;
•any price erosion or volatility of sales volumes through the Company’s distributor and retail channel;
•disruptions to the Company’s supply chain or production capabilities, including ongoing shortages of certain materials, any electricity restrictions and increases in logistical, materials and operation costs;
•currency fluctuations that may impact the Company’s margins, international sales and results of operations;
•changes in tax laws, such as global tax developments applicable to multinational businesses; the impact of trade barriers, such as import/export duties and restrictions, sanctions, tariffs and quotas, imposed by the U.S. or other countries in which the Company conducts business; the evolving legal and regulatory, economic, environmental and administrative climate in the international markets where the Company operates;
•the effect of geopolitical uncertainties, such as international conflicts, on international commerce, the global economy and/or our business;
•the difficulties in implementing a new global enterprise resource planning system; and
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Table of Contents
•cyber-attacks or other data breaches that disrupt the Company’s operations or result in the dissemination of proprietary or confidential information and cause reputational harm.
Information concerning these and other risks, uncertainties and factors, among others, that could cause results to differ materially from our expectations statements is also set forth in “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which we encourage you to carefully read. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date on which they were made and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is provided in addition to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Our MD&A is organized as follows:
•Overview of the September 2022 quarter. Highlights of events in the September 2022 quarter that impacted our financial position.
•Results of Operations. Analysis of our financial results comparing the September 2022 quarter to the June 2022 quarter and the September 2021 quarter.
•Liquidity and Capital Resources. Analysis of changes in our balance sheets and cash flows, discussion of our financial condition including potential sources of liquidity and material cash requirements and their general purpose.
•Critical Accounting Estimates. Accounting estimates that we believe are important to understanding the assumptions and judgments incorporated in our reported financial results.
For an overview of our business, see “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements—Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Organization.”
Overview of the September 2022 quarter
During the September 2022 quarter, we shipped 118 exabytes of HDD storage capacity. We generated revenue of approximately $2.0 billion with a gross margin of 24% and our operating cash flow was $245 million. We amended our credit agreement and borrowed an additional $600 million term loan facility. We repurchased approximately 5 million of our ordinary shares for $408 million and paid $147 million in dividends.
Recent Development, Economic Conditions and Challenges
During the September 2022 quarter, the data storage industry and our business were impacted by intensified macroeconomic headwinds. We experienced broad-based delay in customers’ purchase plans, particularly in mass capacity market, given overall macroeconomic slowdowns and supply chain shortages for other non-HDD electronic components. The ongoing economic slowdown in China due to the pandemic-related governmental lockdown measures, as well as the negative impact from the higher inflationary pressures in the consumer markets continued to impact our business during the September 2022 quarter. Additionally, our customers continued to experience demand disruptions, resulting in demand variations across certain of our end markets. These recent reductions in demand have required us to reduce manufacturing production plans and incur manufacturing underutilization charges, which may continue.
We continue to actively monitor the effects and potential impacts of the macroeconomic conditions, pandemic and other factors on all aspects of our business, supply chain, liquidity and capital resources. We are also actively working on opportunities to lower our cost structure, drive further operational efficiencies and maintain supply chain discipline including adjusting our manufacturing production plans, annual capital expenditure plans and other meaningful cost savings measures in response to these business conditions. We are complying with governmental rules and guidelines across all of our sites. We expect these factors will continue to impact our business and results of operations over the near-term. For a further discussion of the uncertainties and risks associated with macroeconomic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, among others, see “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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Table of Contents
Results of Operations
We list in the tables below summarized information from our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations by dollars and as a percentage of revenue:
For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022		October 1,
2021
Revenue$2,035 $2,628 $3,115 
Cost of revenue1,553 1,869 2,159 
Gross profit482 759 956 
Product development234 247 233 
Marketing and administrative129 149 133 
Amortization of intangibles3 2 3 
Restructuring and other, net9 1 1 
Income from operations107 360 586 
Other expense, net(80)(79)(53)
Income before income taxes27 281 533 
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes(2)5 7 
Net income $29 $276 $526 
 For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022		October 1,
2021
Revenue100 %100 %100 %
Cost of revenue76 71 69 
Gross margin24 29 31 
Product development12 9 8 
Marketing and administrative7 6 4 
Amortization of intangibles— — — 
Restructuring and other, net— — — 
Operating margin5 14 19 
Other expense, net(4)(3)(2)
Income before income taxes1 11 17 
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes— — — 
Net income 1 %11 %17 %
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Revenue
The following table summarizes information regarding consolidated revenues by channel, geography and market and HDD exabytes shipped by market and price per terabyte:
 For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022		October 1,
2021
Revenues by Channel (%)  
OEMs76 %81 %74 %
Distributors15 %10 %16 %
Retailers9 %9 %10 %
Revenues by Geography (%) (1)
   
Asia Pacific39 %39 %51 %
Americas46 %48 %35 %
EMEA15 %13 %14 %
Revenues by Market (%)
Mass capacity68 %73 %65 %
Legacy19 %19 %27 %
Other13 %8 %8 %
HDD Exabytes Shipped by Market
Mass capacity104 139 132 
Legacy14 16 27 
Total 118 155 159 
HDD Price per Terabyte$15 $16 $18 
_________________________________
(1) Revenue is attributed to geography based on bill from locations.
Revenue in the September 2022 quarter decreased by $593 million from the June 2022 quarter and decreased by $1.1 billion from the September 2021 quarter primarily due to the decrease in exabytes shipped as a result of lower market demand in mass capacity and legacy markets that were impacted by macroeconomic and pandemic-related headwinds. We expect the challenge from the demand environment including the macroeconomic conditions and the pandemic-related impacts will continue to persist in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023.
We maintain various sales incentive programs such as channel and OEM rebates. Sales incentive programs were approximately 18% of gross revenue for the September 2022 quarter, 15% for the June 2022 quarter and 13% for the September 2021 quarter. Adjustments to revenues due to under or over accruals for sales incentive programs related to revenues reported in prior quarterly periods were less than 1% of quarterly gross revenue in all periods presented.
Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin
 For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022		October 1,
2021
Cost of revenue$1,553 $1,869 $2,159 
Gross profit482 759 956 
Gross margin24 %29 %31 %
Gross margin for the September 2022 quarter decreased compared to both the June 2022 quarter and the September 2021 quarter primarily driven by approximately $60 million of factory under-utilization cost associated with lower production levels and pandemic-related lockdown in one of our factories, price erosion and unfavorable product mix as the higher margin mass capacity market declined faster than the legacy markets.
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In the September 2022 quarter, total warranty cost was 1.2% of revenue and included an unfavorable change in estimates of prior warranty accruals of 0.6% of revenue primarily due to changes to our estimated future product return rates. Warranty cost related to new shipments was 0.6% and 0.7% of revenue for the September 2022 quarter and September 2021 quarter, respectively.
Operating Expenses
 For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022		October 1,
2021
Product development$234 $247 $233 
Marketing and administrative129 149 133 
Amortization of intangibles3 2 3 
Restructuring and other, net9 1 1 
Operating expenses$375 $399 $370 
Product development expense. Product development expenses decreased by $13 million in the September 2022 quarter compared to the June 2022 quarter primarily due to a $14 million decrease in variable compensation and related benefit expense and a $4 million decrease in materials, partially offset by an $8 million increase in depreciation expenses.
Product development expenses increased by $1 million in the September 2022 quarter compared to the September 2021 quarter primarily due to a $23 million increase in depreciation expenses and a $3 million increase in materials expense, partially offset by a $22 million decrease in variable compensation and related benefit expense.
Marketing and administrative expense. Marketing and administrative expenses decreased by $20 million for the September 2022 quarter compared to the June 2022 quarter primarily due to a $9 million decrease in variable compensation and related benefit expense, an $8 million decrease in compensation and other employee benefits as a result of a decrease in share-based compensation and a $4 million decrease in outside services expense.
Marketing and administrative expenses decreased by $4 million in the September 2022 quarter compared to the September 2021 quarter primarily due to a $15 million decrease in variable compensation expense and a $3 million decrease in compensation and other employee benefits due to a decrease in share-based compensation, partially offset by a $5 million increase in travel expenses as a result of the easing of pandemic-related travel restrictions, a $2 million increase in outside services expense and a $2 million increase in advertising costs.
Amortization of intangibles. Amortization of intangibles for the September 2022 quarter remained relatively flat compared to the June 2022 quarter and the September 2021 quarter.
Restructuring and other, net. Restructuring and other, net was $9 million in the September 2022 quarter primarily related to cost incurred as part of restructuring of our workforce.
Other Expense, Net
 For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022		October 1,
2021
Other expense, net$(80)$(79)$(53)
Other expense, net. Other expense, net increased by $1 million for the September 2022 quarter compared to the June 2022 quarter primarily due to a $5 million increase in interest expense and a $2 million increase in foreign exchange remeasurement expense partially offset by a net $6 million higher non-recurring loss from our strategic investments in the June 2022 quarter.
Other expense, net increased by $27 million for the September 2022 quarter compared to the September 2021 quarter primarily due to a $12 million increase in interest expense, a net $10 million higher non-recurring gain from our strategic investments in the September 2021 quarter and a $4 million increase in foreign exchange remeasurement expense.

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Income Taxes
 For the Three Months Ended
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022		October 1,
2021
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes$(2)$5 $7 
We recorded an income tax benefit of $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The income tax benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2022 included approximately $7 million of net discrete tax benefit, primarily associated with the excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation expense.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”) was enacted into U.S. law. The legislation includes a new corporate alternative minimum tax (the “CAMT”) of 15% on the adjusted financial statement income (“AFSI”) of corporations with average AFSI exceeding $1.0 billion over a three-year period. The CAMT is effective for us beginning in fiscal year 2024. We assessed the potential impact of the CAMT and do not expect to have a material impact to our financial statements or results of operations.
During the three months ended September 30, 2022, our unrecognized tax benefits excluding interest and penalties increased by approximately $1 million to $115 million, substantially all of which would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, subject to certain future valuation allowance reversals. We do not expect material changes to our unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months beginning October 1, 2022.
We recorded an income tax provision of $7 million for the three months ended October 1, 2021. The income tax provision for the three months ended October 1, 2021 included approximately $10 million of net discrete tax benefit, primarily associated with net excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation expense.
Our income tax provision recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and October 1, 2021 differed from the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying the Irish statutory rate of 25% to income before income taxes, primarily due to the net effect of tax benefits related to (i) non-Irish earnings generated in jurisdictions that are subject to tax incentive programs and are considered indefinitely reinvested outside of Ireland and (ii) current year generation of research credits.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following sections discuss our principal liquidity requirements, as well as our sources and uses of cash and our liquidity and capital resources. Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained in investments with remaining maturities of 90 days or less at the time of purchase. The principal objectives of our investment policy are the preservation of principal and maintenance of liquidity. We believe our cash equivalents are liquid and accessible. We operate in some countries that have restrictive regulations over the movement of cash and/or foreign exchange across their borders. However, we believe our sources of cash will continue to be sufficient to fund our operations and meet our cash requirements for the next 12 months. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that our financial resources, along with controlling our costs, capital expenditures and share repurchase levels, will allow us to manage the ongoing impacts of macroeconomic and pandemic-related headwinds including higher inflationary pressures, inventory adjustments by our customers and the overall market demand disruptions on our business operations for the foreseeable future. However, some challenges to our industry and to our business continue to remain uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time. Consequently, we will continue to evaluate our financial position in light of future developments, particularly those relating to the global economic factors and the pandemic.
We are not aware of any downgrades, losses or other significant deterioration in the fair value of our cash equivalents from the values reported as of September 30, 2022.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
(Dollars in millions)September 30,
2022		July 1,
2022		Change
Cash and cash equivalents$761 $615 $146 
Our cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2022 increased by $146 million from July 1, 2022 primarily as a result of net proceeds of $600 million from the issuance of long-term debt and net cash of $245 million provided by operating activities partially offset by the repurchases of our ordinary shares of $408 million, dividends paid to our shareholders of $147 million and payments for capital expenditures of $133 million.
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Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $245 million and includes the effects of net income adjusted for non-cash items including depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and:
•a decrease of $434 million in accounts receivable, primarily due to timing of collections; and
•an increase of $110 million cash proceeds received from the settlement of certain interest rate swap agreements; partially offset by
•a decrease of $300 million in accounts payable, primarily due to a decrease in materials purchased;
•a decrease of $146 million in accrued employee compensation, primarily due to cash paid to our employees as part of our discretionary spending plans; and
•an increase of $41 million in inventories, primarily due to an increase in materials purchased.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $133 million, primarily attributable to payments for the purchase of property, equipment and leasehold improvements.
Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities of $34 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily attributable to the following activities:
•$600 million in net proceeds from the issuance of Term Loan A3; and
•$29 million in proceeds from the issuance of ordinary shares under employee stock plans; partially offset by
•$408 million in payments for repurchases of our ordinary shares;
•$147 million in dividend payments; and
•$39 million in payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards.
Liquidity Sources
Our primary sources of liquidity as of September 30, 2022, consist of: (1) approximately $761 million in cash and cash equivalents, (2) cash we expect to generate from operations and (3) $1.75 billion available for borrowing under our Revolving Credit Facility, which is part of the Credit Agreement. On August 18, 2022, we entered into the Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement which permits us to increase the revolving loan commitments or obtain new term loans of up to $100 million in aggregate, subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions.
As of September 30, 2022, no borrowings (including swing line loans) were outstanding and no commitments were utilized for letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility is available for borrowings, subject to compliance with financial covenants and other customary conditions to borrowing.
The Credit Agreement includes three financial covenants: (1) interest coverage ratio, (2) total leverage ratio and (3) a minimum liquidity amount. The term of the Revolving Credit Facility is through October 14, 2026. As of September 30, 2022, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under our debt agreements. We continue to evaluate our debt portfolio and structure to ensure we are able to comply with our financial debt covenants.
We believe that our sources of cash will be sufficient to fund our operations and meet our cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. Our ability to fund liquidity requirements beyond 12 months will depend on our future cash flows, which are determined by future operating performance, and therefore, subject to prevailing global macroeconomic conditions and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. For additional information on risks and factors that could impact our ability to fund our operations and meet our cash requirements, including the pandemic, among others, see “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Cash Requirements and Commitments
Our liquidity requirements are primarily to meet our working capital, product development and capital expenditure needs, to fund scheduled payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness and to fund our quarterly dividend and any future strategic investments. As of September 30, 2022, our contractual cash requirements have not changed materially since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2022, except for long-term debt obligations.


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Long-term debt and interest payments on debt
The Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement provides for a new Term Loan A3 in the aggregate principal amount of $600 million. Term Loan A3 was borrowed in full at the closing of the Sixth Amendment. Term Loan A3 bears interest at a rate of SOFR plus a variable margin of 1.25% to 2.5%, in each case with such margin being determined based on the corporate credit rating of the Borrower or one of its parent entities. Term Loan A3 is repayable in quarterly installments beginning on December 31, 2022 and is scheduled to mature on July 30, 2027. The Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement also replaced the LIBOR interest rates plus variable margin of Term Loans A1 and A2 with the SOFR interest rates plus a variable margin that will be determined based on the corporate credit rating of the Borrower or one of its parent entities.
As of September 30, 2022, the future principal payment obligation on our long-term debt was $6.3 billion, of which $636 million will mature within one year. As of September 30, 2022, future interest payments on these outstanding debt is estimated to be approximately $1.5 billion, of which $293 million is expected to be paid within one year. From time to time, we may repurchase any of our outstanding senior notes in open market or privately negotiated purchases or otherwise, or we may repurchase outstanding senior notes pursuant to the terms of the applicable indenture. Refer to “Item 1. Financial Statements—Note 3. Debt” for more details.
Dividends
During the September 2022 quarter, our Board of Directors declared dividends of $0.70 per share, totaling $145 million, which was paid on October 5, 2022. On October 26, 2022, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.70 per share, payable on January 5, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 21, 2022. Our ability to pay dividends in the future will be subject to, among other things, general business conditions within the data storage industry, our financial results, the impact of paying dividends on our credit ratings and legal and contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to us or by us to our ordinary shareholders, including restrictions imposed by covenants on our debt instruments.
Share repurchases
From time to time, at the Company’s discretion, we may repurchase any of our outstanding ordinary shares through private, open market, or broker-assisted purchases, tender offers, or other means, including through the use of derivative transactions. During the September 2022 quarter, we repurchased approximately 6 million of our ordinary shares including shares withheld for statutory tax withholdings related to vesting of employee equity awards. As of September 30, 2022, $1.9 billion remained available for repurchase under our existing repurchase authorization limit. We may limit or terminate the repurchase program at any time. All repurchases are effected as redemptions in accordance with our Constitution.
Other
For fiscal year 2023, we expect capital expenditures to be below our long-term targeted range of 4% to 6% of revenue. We require substantial amounts of cash to fund any increased working capital requirements, future capital expenditures, scheduled payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness and payments of dividends. We will continue to evaluate and manage the retirement and replacement of existing debt and associated obligations, including evaluating the issuance of new debt securities, exchanging existing debt securities for other debt securities and retiring debt pursuant to privately negotiated transactions, open market purchases, tender offers or other means or otherwise. In addition, we may selectively pursue strategic alliances, acquisitions, joint ventures and investments, which may require additional capital.
Subsequent event
On October 24, 2022, our Board of Directors approved and committed to the October 2022 Plan to reduce its cost structure to better align our operational needs to current economic conditions while continuing to support the long-term business strategy. The October 2022 Plan includes reducing our worldwide headcount by approximately 3,000 employees, or 8% of the global workforce, along with other cost saving measures.
The October 2022 Plan, which we expect to be substantially completed by the end of the fiscal second quarter 2023, is expected to result in total pre-tax charges between $60 million and $70 million. These charges are expected to be primarily cash-based and consist of employee severance and other one-time termination benefits.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of such statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements. Our estimates are based on historical experience and other assumptions that we consider to be appropriate in the circumstances. However, actual future results may vary from our estimates.
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Other than as described in “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements—Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, there have been no other material changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates. Refer to “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2022, as filed with the SEC on August 5, 2022, for a discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements—Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for information regarding the effect of new accounting pronouncements on our financial statements.
ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We have exposure to market risks due to the volatility of interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, credit rating changes and equity and bond markets. A portion of these risks may be hedged, but fluctuations could impact our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Interest Rate Risk. Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our cash investment portfolio. As of September 30, 2022, we had no available-for-sale debt securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for a period greater than 12 months. We determined no impairment related to credit losses for available-for-sale debt securities as of September 30, 2022.
We have fixed rate and variable rate debt obligations. We enter into debt obligations for general corporate purposes including capital expenditures and working capital needs. Our Term Loans bear interest at a variable rate equal to SOFR plus a variable margin.
We have entered into certain interest rate swap agreements to convert the variable interest rate on the Term Loans to fixed interest rates. The objective of the interest rate swap agreements is to eliminate the variability of interest payment cash flows associated with the variable interest rate under the Term Loans. We designated the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. As of September 30, 2022, the aggregate notional amount of the Company’s interest-rate swap contracts was $1.6 billion, of which $600 million will mature in September 2025 and $1 billion will mature in July 2027.
The table below presents principal amounts and related fixed or weighted-average interest rates by year of maturity for our investment portfolio and debt obligations as of September 30, 2022.
Fiscal Years EndedFair Value at September 30 , 2022
(Dollars in millions, except percentages)20232024202520262027ThereafterTotal
Assets        
Money market funds, time deposits and certificates of deposit
Floating rate$160 $— $— $— $— $— $160 $160 
Average interest rate2.76 %2.76 %
Other debt securities        
Fixed rate$— $— $— $15 $— $1 $16 $16 
Debt        
Fixed rate$540 $500 $479 $— $505 $2,490 $4,514 $3,815 
Average interest rate4.75 %4.88 %4.75 %— %4.88 %4.09 %4.41 %
Variable rate$68 $114 $148 $629 $144 $698 $1,801 $1,754 
Average interest rate5.64 %5.64 %5.64 %5.67 %5.60 %5.60 %5.64 %
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk. From time to time, we may enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposure related to certain foreign currency commitments and anticipated foreign currency denominated expenditures. Our policy prohibits us from entering into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
We hedge portions of our foreign currency denominated balance sheet positions with foreign currency forward exchange contracts to reduce the risk that our earnings will be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates. The change in fair value of these contracts is recognized in earnings in the same period as the gains and losses from the remeasurement of the assets and liabilities. All foreign currency forward exchange contracts mature within 12 months.
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We recognized a net loss of $7 million and gain of $2 million in Cost of revenue and Interest expense, respectively, related to the loss of hedge designation on discontinued cash flow hedges during the three months ended September 30, 2022.
The table below provides information as of September 30, 2022 about our foreign currency forward exchange contracts. The table is provided in dollar equivalent amounts and presents the notional amounts (at the contract exchange rates) and the weighted-average contractual foreign currency exchange rates.
(Dollars in millions, except weighted-average contract rate)Notional AmountWeighted-Average Contract Rate
Estimated Fair Value(1)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts:
  
Singapore Dollar$243 $1.38 $(9)
Thai Baht179 $34.67 (15)
Chinese Renminbi
119 $6.71 (6)
British Pound Sterling
85 $0.81 (10)
Total
$626  $(40)
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(1) Equivalent to the unrealized net gain (loss) on existing contracts.
Other Market Risks. We have exposure to counterparty credit downgrades in the form of credit risk related to our foreign currency forward exchange contracts and our fixed income portfolio. We monitor and limit our credit exposure for our foreign currency forward exchange contracts by performing ongoing credit evaluations. We also manage the notional amount of contracts entered into with any one counterparty, and we maintain limits on maximum tenor of contracts based on the credit rating of the financial institution. Additionally, the investment portfolio is diversified and structured to minimize credit risk.
Changes in our corporate issuer credit ratings have minimal impact on our near-term financial results, but downgrades may negatively impact our future ability to raise capital, our ability to execute transactions with various counterparties, and may increase the cost of such capital.
We are subject to equity market risks due to changes in the fair value of the notional investments selected by our employees as part of our non-qualified deferred compensation plan—the SDCP. In fiscal year 2014, we entered into a TRS agreement in order to manage the equity market risks associated with the SDCP liabilities. We pay a floating rate, based on LIBOR plus an interest rate spread, on the notional amount of the TRS. The TRS is designed to substantially offset changes in the SDCP liabilities due to changes in the value of the investment options made by employees. See “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements—Note 6. Derivative Financial Instruments” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on the evaluation, our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective as of September 30, 2022. 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended September 30, 2022, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a discussion of legal proceedings, see “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements—Note 12. Legal, Environmental and Other Contingencies” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
Summary of Risk Factors
The following is a summary of the principal risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, brand and/or the price of our outstanding ordinary shares, and make an investment in our ordinary shares speculative or risky. You should read this summary together with the more detailed description of each risk factor contained below. The descriptions below include any material changes to and supersede the description of the risk factors affecting our business disclosed in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2022.
Risks Related to our Business, Operations and Industry
•Our ability to increase our revenue and maintain our market share depends on our ability to successfully introduce and achieve market acceptance of new products on a timely basis. If our products do not keep pace with customer requirements, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
•We operate in highly competitive markets and our failure to anticipate and respond to technological changes and other market developments, including price, could harm our ability to compete.
•We may be adversely affected by the loss of, or reduced, delayed or canceled purchases by, one or more of our key customers.
•We are dependent on sales to distributors and retailers, which may increase price erosion and the volatility of our sales.
•We must plan our investments in our products and incur costs before we have customer orders or know about the market conditions at the time the products are produced. If we fail to predict demand accurately for our products or if the markets for our products change, we may have insufficient demand or we may be unable to meet demand, which may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
•Changes in demand for computer systems, data storage subsystems and consumer electronic devices may in the future cause a decline in demand for our products, or an increase in demand for our products that we are unable to meet.
•We have a long and unpredictable sales cycle for nearline storage solutions, which impairs our ability to accurately predict our financial and operating results in any period and may adversely affect our ability to forecast the need for investments and expenditures.
•We experience seasonal declines in the sales of our consumer products during the second half of our fiscal year which may adversely affect our results of operations.
•We may not be successful in our efforts to grow our systems, SSD and Lyve revenues.
•Our worldwide sales and manufacturing operations subject us to risks that may adversely affect our business related to disruptions in international markets, currency exchange fluctuations, increased costs and global health outbreaks.
•The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as the operations and financial performance of many of the customers and suppliers in industries that we serve. We are unable to predict the extent to which the pandemic and related effects will adversely impact our business operations, financial performance, results of operations, financial position and the achievement of our strategic objectives.
•If we do not control our costs, we will not be able to compete effectively.
Risks Associated with Supply and Manufacturing
•Shortages or delays in the receipt of, or cost increases in, critical components, equipment or raw materials necessary to manufacture our products, may cause us to suffer lower operating margins, production delays and other material adverse effects.
•Shortages or delays in critical components, as well as reliance on single-source suppliers, can affect our production and development of products and may harm our operating results.
•If revenues fall or customer demand decreases significantly, we may not meet all of our purchase commitments to certain suppliers, which could result in penalties, increased manufacturing costs or excess inventory.
•Due to the complexity of our products, some defects may only become detectable after deployment.
Risks Related to Human Capital
•The loss of or inability to attract, retain and motivate key executive officers and employees could negatively impact our business prospects.
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•We are subject to risks related to corporate and social responsibility and reputation.
Risks Related to Financial Performance or General Economic Conditions
•Changes in the macroeconomic environment have impacted and may in the future negatively impact our results of operations.
•We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows from operations and our investments to meet our liquidity requirements, including servicing our indebtedness.
•We are subject to counterparty default risks.
•Our quarterly results of operations fluctuate, sometimes significantly, from period to period, and may cause our share price to decline.
•Any cost reduction initiatives that we undertake may not deliver the results we expect, and these actions may adversely affect our business.
•The effect of geopolitical uncertainties, war, terrorism, natural disasters, public health issues and other circumstances, on national and/ or international commerce and on the global economy, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Risks
•Our business is subject to various laws, regulations, governmental policies, litigation, governmental investigations or governmental proceedings that may cause us to incur significant expense or adversely impact our results or operations and financial condition.
•Some of our products and services are subject to export control laws and other laws affecting the countries in which our products and services may be sold, distributed, or delivered, and any changes to or violation of these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
•Changes in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of sanctions or tariffs and the resulting consequences, may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
•We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
•We are at times subject to intellectual property proceedings and claims which could cause us to incur significant additional costs or prevent us from selling our products, and which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
•Our business and certain products and services depend in part on IP and technology licensed from third parties, as well as data centers and infrastructure operated by third parties.
Risks Related to Information Technology, Data and Information Security
•We could suffer a loss of revenue and increased costs, exposure to significant liability including legal and regulatory consequences, reputational harm and other serious negative consequences in the event of cyber-attacks, ransomware or other cyber security breaches or incidents that disrupt our operations or result in unauthorized access to, or the loss, corruption, unavailability or dissemination of proprietary or confidential information of our customers or about us or our customers or other third parties.
•We must successfully maintain and upgrade our IT systems, and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Owning our Ordinary Shares
•The price of our ordinary shares may be volatile and could decline significantly.
•Any decision to reduce or discontinue the payment of cash dividends to our shareholders or the repurchase of our ordinary shares pursuant to our previously announced share repurchase program could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline significantly.
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RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS, OPERATIONS AND INDUSTRY
Our ability to increase our revenue and maintain our market share depends on our ability to successfully introduce and achieve market acceptance of new products on a timely basis. If our products do not keep pace with customer requirements, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
The markets for our products are characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product introductions and technology enhancements, uncertain product life cycles and changes in customer demand. The success of our products and services also often depends on whether our offerings are compatible with our customers’ or third-parties’ products or services and their changing technologies. Our customers demand new generations of storage products as advances in computer hardware and software have created the need for improved storage, with features such as increased storage capacity, enhanced security, energy efficiency, improved performance and reliability and lower cost. We, and our competitors, have developed improved products, and we will need to continue to do so in the future.
Historically, our results of operations have substantially depended upon our ability to be among the first-to-market with new data storage product offerings. We may face technological, operational and financial challenges in developing new products. In addition, our investments in new product development may not yield the anticipated benefits. Our market share, revenue and results of operations in the future may be adversely affected if we fail to:
•develop new products, identify business strategies and timely introduce competitive product offerings to meet technological shifts, or we are unable to execute successfully;
•consistently maintain our time-to-market performance with our new products;
•produce these products in adequate volume;
•meet specifications or satisfy compatibility requirements;
•qualify these products with key customers on a timely basis by meeting our customers’ performance and quality specifications; or
•achieve acceptable manufacturing yields, quality and costs with these products.
Accordingly, we cannot accurately determine the ultimate effect that our new products will have on our results of operations. Our failure to accurately anticipate customers’ needs and accurately identify the shift in technological changes could materially adversely affect our long-term financial results.
In addition, the concentration of customers in our largest end markets magnifies the potential effect of missing a product qualification opportunity. If the delivery of our products is delayed, our customers may use our competitors’ products to meet their requirements.
When we develop new products with higher capacity and more advanced technology, our results of operations may decline because the increased difficulty and complexity associated with producing these products increases the likelihood of reliability, quality or operability problems. If our products experience increases in failure rates, are of low quality or are not reliable, customers may reduce their purchases of our products, our factory utilization may decrease and our manufacturing rework and scrap costs and our service and warranty costs may increase. In addition, a decline in the reliability of our products may make it more difficult for us to effectively compete with our competitors.
Additionally, we may be unable to produce new products that have higher capacities and more advanced technologies in the volumes and timeframes that are required to meet customer demand. We are transitioning to key areal density recording technologies that use HAMR technology to increase HDD capacities. If our transitions to more advanced technologies, including the transition to HDDs utilizing HAMR technology, require development and production cycles that are longer than anticipated or if we otherwise fail to implement new HDD technologies successfully, we may lose sales and market share, which could significantly harm our financial results.
We cannot assure you that we will be among the leaders in time-to-market with new products or that we will be able to successfully qualify new products with our customers in the future. If our new products are not successful, our future results of operations may be adversely affected.
We operate in highly competitive markets and our failure to anticipate and respond to technological changes and other market developments, including price, could harm our ability to compete.
We face intense competition in the data storage industry. Our principal sources of competition include HDD and SSD manufacturers, and companies that provide storage subsystems, including electronic manufacturing services and contract electronic manufacturing.
The markets for our data storage products are characterized by technological change, which is driven in part by the adoption of new industry standards. These standards provide mechanisms to ensure technology component interoperability but they also hinder our ability to innovate or differentiate our products. When this occurs, our products may be deemed commodities, which could result in downward pressure on prices.
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We also experience competition from other companies that produce alternative storage technologies such as flash memory, where increasing capacity, decreasing cost, energy efficiency and improvements in performance have resulted in SSDs that offer increased competition with our lower capacity, smaller form factor HDDs and a declining trend in demand for HDDs in our legacy markets. Some customers for both mass capacity storage and legacy markets have adopted SSDs as an alternative to hard drives in certain applications. Further adoption of SSDs or other alternative storage technologies may limit our total addressable HDD market, impact the competitiveness of our product portfolio and reduce our market share. Any resulting increase in competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be adversely affected by the loss of, or reduced, delayed or canceled purchases by, one or more of our key customers.
Some of our key customers such as OEM customers including large hyperscale data center companies and CSPs account for a large portion of our revenue in our mass capacity markets. While we have long-standing relationships with many of our customers, if any key customers were to significantly reduce, defer or cancel their purchases from us or delay product acceptances, or we were prohibited from selling to those key customers, our results of operations would be adversely affected. Although sales to key customers may vary from period to period, a key customer that permanently discontinues or significantly reduces its relationship with us, or that we are prohibited from selling to, could be difficult to replace. In line with industry practice, new key customers usually require that we pass a lengthy and rigorous qualification process. Accordingly, it may be difficult or costly for us to attract new key customers. Conversely, if one of our key customers unexpectedly increases its orders, we may be unable to produce the additional product volumes in a timely manner or take advantage of any overall increased market demand. This could damage our customer relationships and reputation, which may adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, some of our key customers are subject to cyclical demand which may result in variability of their orders and timing of their purchase with us and if one of our key customers unexpectedly reduces, delays or cancels orders, our revenues and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Furthermore, if there is consolidation among our customer base, our customers may be able to command increased leverage in negotiating prices and other terms of sale, which could adversely affect our profitability. Furthermore, if such customer pressures require us to reduce our pricing such that our gross margins are diminished, it might not be feasible to sell to a particular customer, which could result in a decrease in our revenue. Consolidation among our customer base may also lead to reduced demand for our products, replacement of our products by the combined entity with those of our competitors and cancellations of orders, each of which could adversely affect our results of operations. If a significant transaction or regulatory impact involving any of our key customers results in the loss of or reduction in purchases by these key customers, it could have a materially adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are dependent on sales to distributors and retailers, which may increase price erosion and the volatility of our sales.
A substantial portion of our sales has been to distributors and retailers of disk drive products. Certain of our distributors and retailers may also market competing products. We face significant competition in this distribution channel as a result of limited product qualification programs and a focus on price, terms and product availability. Sales volumes through this channel are also less predictable and subject to greater volatility. In addition, deterioration in business and economic conditions could exacerbate price erosion and volatility as distributors or retailers lower prices to compensate for lower demand and higher inventory levels. Our distributors’ and retailers’ ability to access credit to fund their operations may also affect their purchases of our products. If prices decline significantly in this distribution channel or our distributors or retailers reduce purchases of our products or if distributors or retailers experience financial difficulties or terminate their relationships with us, our revenues and results of operations would be adversely affected.
We must plan our investments in our products and incur costs before we have customer orders or know about the market conditions at the time the products are produced. If we fail to predict demand accurately for our products or if the markets for our products change, we may have insufficient demand or we may be unable to meet demand, which may materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
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Our results of operation are highly dependent on strong cloud and enterprise and/or consumer spending and the resulting demand for our products. Reduced or weak demand, particularly from our key cloud and enterprise customers as a result of a significant change in macroeconomic conditions may result in a significant reduction or cancellation of their purchases from us which can and have materially adversely impacted our business and financial condition.
Our manufacturing process requires us to make significant product-specific investments in inventory for production at least three to six months in advance. As a result, we incur inventory and manufacturing costs in advance of anticipated sales that may never materialize or that may be substantially lower than expected. If actual demand for our products is lower than the forecast, we may also experience excess and obsolescence of inventory, higher inventory carrying costs, factory under-utilization charges and manufacturing rework costs, which have resulted in and could result in adverse material effects on our financial condition and results of operations. Conversely, if we underestimate demand, we may have insufficient inventory to satisfy demand and may have to forego sales.
Other factors that have affected and may continue to affect our ability to anticipate or meet the demand for our products and adversely affect our results of operations include:
•competitive product announcements or technological advances that result in excess supply when customers cancel purchases in anticipation of newer products;
•variable demand resulting from unanticipated upward or downward pricing pressures;
•our ability to successfully qualify, manufacture and sell our data storage products;
•changes in our product mix, which may adversely affect our gross margins;
•key customers deferring or canceling purchases or delaying product acceptances, or unexpected increases in their orders;
•manufacturing delays or interruptions, particularly at our manufacturing facilities in China, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, Singapore, Thailand or the United States;
•limited access to components that we obtain from a single or a limited number of suppliers; and
•the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the cost of producing our products and the effective price of our products to non-U.S. customers.
Changes in demand for computer systems, data storage subsystems and consumer electronic devices may in the future cause a decline in demand for our products, or an increase in demand for our products that we are unable to meet.
Our products are components in computers, data storage systems and consumer electronic devices. Historically, the demand for these products has been volatile. Unexpected slowdowns in demand for computers, data storage subsystems or consumer electronic devices generally result in sharp declines in demand for our products. Declines in customer spending on the systems and devices that incorporate our products could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products and on our financial condition and results of operations. Uncertain global economic and business conditions can exacerbate these risks.
We are dependent on our long-term investments to manufacture adequate products. Our investment decisions in adding new assembly and test capacity require significant planning and lead-time, and a failure to accurately forecast demand for our products could cause us to over-invest or under-invest, which would lead to excess capacity, under-utilization charges, impairments or loss of sales and revenue opportunities.
Sales to the legacy markets remain an important part of our business. These markets, however, have been, and we expect them to continue to be, adversely affected by:
•announcements or introductions of major new operating systems or semiconductor improvements or shifts in customer preferences, performance requirements and behavior, such as the shift to tablet computers, smart phones, NAND flash memory or similar devices that meet customers’ cost and capacity metrics;
•longer product life cycles; and
•changes in macroeconomic conditions that cause customers to spend less, such as the imposition of new tariffs, increased laws and regulations, and increased unemployment levels.
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We believe that the deterioration of demand for disk drives in certain of the legacy markets has accelerated, and this deterioration may continue or further accelerate, which could cause our operating results to suffer.
In addition, we believe announcements regarding competitive product introductions from time to time have caused customers to defer or cancel their purchases, making certain inventory obsolete. Whenever an oversupply of products in the market causes our industry to have higher than anticipated inventory levels, we experience even more intense price competition from other manufacturers than usual, which may materially adversely affect our financial results.
We have a long and unpredictable sales cycle for nearline storage solutions, which impairs our ability to accurately predict our financial and operating results in any period and may adversely affect our ability to forecast the need for investments and expenditures.
Our nearline storage solutions are technically complex and we typically supply them in high quantities to a small number of customers. Many of our products are also tailored to meet the specific requirements of individual customers, and are often integrated by our customers into the systems and products that they sell. Factors that affect the length of our sales cycle include:
•the time required for developing, testing and evaluating our products before they are deployed;
•the size of the deployment; and
•the complexity of system configuration necessary to deploy our products.
As a result, our sales cycle for nearline storage solutions could exceed one year and frequently unpredictable. Additionally, our nearline storage solutions is subject to variability of sales primarily due to the timing of IT spending or a reflection of cyclical demand from CSPs based on the timing of their procurement and deployment requirements and their ability to procure other components needed to build out data center infrastructure. Given the length of development and qualification programs and unpredictability of the sales cycle, we may be unable to accurately forecast product demand, which may result in lost sales or excess inventory and associated inventory reserves or write-downs, each of which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We experience seasonal declines in the sales of our consumer products during the second half of our fiscal year which may adversely affect our results of operations.
In certain end markets, sales of computers, storage subsystems and consumer electronic devices tend to be seasonal, and therefore, we expect to continue to experience seasonality in our business as we respond to variations in our customers’ demand for our products. In particular, we anticipate that sales of our consumer products will continue to be lower during the second half of our fiscal year. Retail sales of certain of our legacy markets solutions traditionally experience higher demand in the first half of our fiscal year driven by consumer spending in the back-to-school season from late summer to fall and the traditional holiday shopping season from fall to winter. We experience seasonal reductions in the second half of our fiscal year in the business activities of our customers during international holidays like Lunar New Year, as well as in the summer months (particularly in Europe), which typically result in lower sales during those periods. Since our working capital needs peak during periods in which we are increasing production in anticipation of orders that have not yet been received, our results of operations will fluctuate even if the forecasted demand for our products proves accurate. Failure to anticipate consumer demand for our branded solutions as well as an inability to maintain effective working relationships with retail and online distributors may also adversely impact our future results of operations. Furthermore, it is difficult for us to evaluate the degree to which this seasonality may affect our business in future periods because of the rate and unpredictability of product transitions and new product introductions, as well as macroeconomic conditions. In particular, during periods where there are rapidly changing macroeconomic conditions, historical seasonality trends may not be a good indicator to predict our future performance and results of operations.
We may not be successful in our efforts to grow our systems, SSD and Lyve revenues.
We have made and continue to make investments to grow our systems, SSD and Lyve platform revenues. Our ability to grow systems, SSD and Lyve revenues is subject to the following risks:
•we may be unable to accurately estimate and predict data center capacity and requirements;
•we may not be able to offer compelling solutions or services to enterprises, subscribers, or consumers;
•we may be unable to obtain cost effective supply of NAND flash memory in order to offer competitive SSD solutions; and
•our cloud systems revenues generally have a longer sales cycle, and growth is likely to depend on relatively large customer orders, which may increase the variability of our results of operations and the difficulty of matching revenues with expenses.
Our results of operations and share price may be adversely affected if we are not successful in our efforts to grow our revenues as anticipated. In addition, our growth in these markets may bring us into closer competition with some of our customers or potential customers, which may decrease their willingness to do business with us.
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Our worldwide sales and manufacturing operations subject us to risks that may adversely affect our business related to disruptions in international markets, currency exchange fluctuations, increased costs and global health outbreaks.
We are a global company and have significant sales operations outside of the United States, including sales personnel and customer support operations. We also generate a significant portion of our revenue from sales outside the U.S. Disruptions in the economic, environmental, political, legal or regulatory landscape in the countries where we operate may have a material adverse impact on our manufacturing and sales operations. Disruptions in financial markets, the deterioration of global economic conditions, and geopolitical uncertainty and instability or war, such as the military action against Ukraine launched by Russia, have had and may continue to have an impact on our sales to customers and end-users located in the EMEA region.
Prices for our products are denominated predominantly in dollars, even when sold to customers that are located outside the U.S. An increase in the value of the dollar could increase the real cost to our customers of our products in those markets outside of the U.S. where we sell in dollars. This could adversely impact our sales and market share in such areas or increase pressure on us to lower our price, and adversely impact our profit margins. In addition, we have revenue and expenses denominated in currencies other than the dollar, primarily the Thai Baht, Singaporean dollar, Chinese Renminbi and British Pound Sterling, which further exposes us to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. A weakened dollar could increase the effective cost of our expenses such as payroll, utilities, tax and marketing expenses, as well as overseas capital expenditures. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We have attempted to manage the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes by, among other things, entering into foreign currency forward exchange contracts from time to time, which could be designated as cash flow hedges or not designated as hedging instruments. Our hedging strategy may be ineffective, and specific hedges may expire and not be renewed or may not offset any or more than a portion of the adverse financial impact resulting from currency variations. The hedging activities may not cover our full exposure, subject us to certain counterparty credit risks and may impact our results of operations. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk— Foreign Currency Exchange Risk” of this report for additional information about our foreign currency exchange risk.
The shipping and transportation costs associated with our international operations are typically higher than those associated with our U.S. operations, resulting in decreased operating margins in some countries. Volatility in fuel costs, political instability or constraints in or increases in the costs of air transportation may lead us to develop alternative shipment methods, which could disrupt our ability to receive raw materials, or ship finished product, and as a result our business and results of operations may be harmed.
The occurrence of a pandemic disease, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, has impacted and may adversely impact our operations (including, without limitation, logistical and other operational costs) and the operations of some of our customers.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as the operations and financial performance of many of the customers and suppliers in industries that we serve. We are unable to predict the extent to which the pandemic and related effects will adversely impact our business operations, financial performance, results of operations, financial position and the achievement of our strategic objectives.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a widespread health crisis and numerous disease control measures being taken to limit its spread. The impact of the pandemic on our business has included or could in the future include:
•disruptions to or restrictions on our ability to ensure the continuous manufacture and supply of our products and services, including insufficiency of our existing inventory levels and temporary or permanent closures or reductions in operational capacity of our facilities or the facilities of our direct or indirect suppliers or customers, and any supply chain disruptions;
•temporary shortages of skilled employees available to staff manufacturing facilities due to stay at home orders and travel restrictions within as well as into and out of countries;
•increases in operational expenses and other costs related to requirements implemented to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•delays or limitations on the ability of our customers to perform or make timely payments;
•reductions in short- and long-term demand for our products, or other disruptions in technology buying patterns;
•adverse effects on economies and financial markets globally or in various markets throughout the world, potentially leading to a prolonged economic downturn or reductions in business and consumer spending, which may result in decreased net revenue, gross margins, or earnings and/or in increased expenses and difficulty in managing inventory levels;
•delays to and/or lengthening of our sales or development cycles or qualification activity;
•challenges for us, our direct and indirect suppliers and our customers in obtaining financing due to turmoil in financial markets;
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•workforce disruptions due to illness, quarantines, governmental actions, other restrictions, and/or the social distancing measures we have taken to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to protect the health and well-being of our employees, customers, suppliers and of the communities in which we operate;
•increased vulnerability to cyberattacks due to the significant number of employees working remotely; and
•our management team continuing to commit significant time, attention and resources to monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and seeking to mitigate its effects on our business and workforce.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased economic and demand uncertainty. It continues to negatively affect our business and there is uncertainty around its duration and impact. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact our business, financial condition and results of operations is uncertain.
There are many factors outside of our control, such as new strains of COVID-19 virus, the distribution and efficacy of the existing or new vaccines, the response and measures taken by government authorities around the world, and the response of the financial and consumer markets to the prolonged pandemic and governmental measures. These impacts, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Such effect may be exacerbated in the event the pandemic and the measures taken in response to it, and their effects, persist for an extended period of time, or if there is a resurgence of the outbreak or variants thereof. Under any of these circumstances, the resumption of normal business operations may be delayed or hampered by lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations, direct and indirect suppliers, partners, and customers. The COVID-19 pandemic may also heighten other risks described in this Risk Factors section.
If we do not control our costs, we will not be able to compete effectively.
We continually seek to make our cost structure and business processes more efficient. We are focused on increasing workforce flexibility and scalability, and improving overall competitiveness by leveraging our global capabilities, as well as external talent and skills, worldwide. Our strategy involves, to a substantial degree, increasing revenue and exabytes volume while at the same time controlling expenses. Because our vertical design and manufacturing strategy, our operations have higher costs that are fixed or difficult to reduce in the short-term, including our costs related to utilization of existing facilities and equipment. If we fail to forecast demand accurately or if there is a partial or complete reduction in long-term demand for our products, we could be required to write off inventory, record excess capacity charges which could negatively impact our gross margin and our financial results. If we do not control our manufacturing and operating expenses, our ability to compete in the marketplace may be impaired. In the past, activities to reduce costs have included closures and transfers of facilities, significant personnel reductions, restructuring efforts, asset write-offs and efforts to increase automation. Our restructuring efforts may not yield the intended benefits and may be unsuccessful or disruptive to our business operations which may materially adversely affect our financial results.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUPPLY AND MANUFACTURING
Shortages or delays in the receipt of, or cost increases in, critical components, equipment or raw materials necessary to manufacture our products, may cause us to suffer lower operating margins, production delays and other material adverse effects.
The cost, quality, availability and supply of components, subassemblies, certain equipment and raw materials used to manufacture our products and key components like recording media and heads are critical to our success. Particularly important for our products are components such as read/write heads, substrates for recording media, ASICs, spindle motors, printed circuit boards, suspension assemblies and NAND flash memory. In addition, the equipment we use to manufacture our products and components is frequently custom made and comes from a few suppliers and the lead times required to obtain manufacturing equipment can be significant. Our efforts to control our costs, including capital expenditures, may also affect our ability to obtain or maintain such inputs and equipment, which could affect our ability to meet future demand for our products.
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We rely on sole or a limited number of direct and indirect suppliers for some or all of these components that we do not manufacture, including substrates for recording media, read/write heads, ASICs, spindle motors, printed circuit boards, suspension assemblies and NAND flash memory. In light of this small, consolidated supplier base, if our suppliers increased their prices as a result of inflationary pressures from the current macroeconomic conditions or other changes in economic conditions, our results of operations would be negatively affected. Also, many of such direct and indirect component suppliers are geographically concentrated, making our supply chain more vulnerable to regional disruptions such as severe weather, the occurrence of local or global health issues or pandemics, acts of terrorism, war and an unpredictable geopolitical climate, which may have a material impact on the production, availability and transportation of many components. We have experienced and continue to experience disruptions in our supply chain due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also impacted and may adversely impact our operations (including, without limitation, logistical and other operational costs) and the operations of some of our key direct and indirect suppliers. If our direct and indirect vendors for these components are unable to meet our cost, quality, supply and transportation requirements, continue to remain financially viable or fulfill their contractual commitments and obligations, we could experience disruption in our supply chain, including shortages in supply or increases in production costs, which would materially adversely affect our results of operations. The current worldwide shortage of semiconductors exacerbates these risks.
Certain rare earth elements are critical in the manufacture of our products. We purchase components that contain rare earth elements from a number of countries, including China. We cannot predict whether any nation will impose regulations or trade barriers including tariffs, duties, quotas or embargoes upon the rare earth elements incorporated into our products that would restrict the worldwide supply of such metals or increase their cost. We have experienced and continuing to experience increased costs and production delays when we were unable to obtain the necessary equipment or sufficient quantities of some components, and/or have been forced to pay higher prices or make volume purchase commitments or advance deposits for some components, equipment or raw materials that were in short supply in the industry in general. Further, if our customers experience shortages of components or materials used in their products it could result in a decrease in demand for our products and have an adverse effect on our results of operations. If any major supplier were to restrict the supply available to us or increase the cost of the rare earth elements used in our products, we could experience a shortage in supply or an increase in production costs, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
Shortages or delays in critical components, as well as reliance on single-source suppliers, can affect our production and development of products and may harm our operating results.
We are dependent on a limited number of qualified suppliers who provide critical materials or components. If there is a shortage of, or delay in supplying us with, critical components, equipment or raw materials, then:
•it is likely that our suppliers would raise their prices and, if we could not pass these price increases to our customers, our operating margin would decline;
•we may have to reengineer some products, which would likely cause production and shipment delays, make the reengineered products more costly and provide us with a lower rate of return on these products;
•we would likely have to allocate the components we receive to certain of our products and ship less of others, which could reduce our revenues and could cause us to lose sales to customers who could purchase more of their required products from manufacturers that either did not experience these shortages or delays or that made different allocations; and
•we may be late in shipping products, causing potential customers to make purchases from our competitors, thus causing our revenue and operating margin to decline.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain critical components in a timely and economic manner. The industry is currently experiencing a global shortage of semiconductors and other electronic components. In addition, many of our suppliers’ manufacturing facilities are fully utilized. If they fail to invest in additional capacity or deliver components in the required timeframe, such failure would have an impact on our ability to ramp new products, and may result in a loss of revenue or market share if our competitors did not utilize the same components and were not affected.
We often aim to lead the market in new technology deployments and leverage unique and customized technology from single source suppliers who are early adopters in the emerging market. Our options in supplier selection in these cases are limited and the supplier based technology has been and may continue to be single sourced until wider adoption of the technology occurs and any necessary licenses become available. In such cases, any technical issues in the supplier’s technology may cause us to delay shipments of our new technology deployments and harm our financial position.
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If revenues fall or customer demand decreases significantly, we may not meet all of our purchase commitments to certain suppliers, which could result in penalties, increased manufacturing costs or excess inventory.
From time to time, we enter into long-term, non-cancelable purchase commitments or make large up-front investments with certain suppliers in order to secure certain components or technologies for the production of our products or to supplement our internal manufacturing capacity for certain components. If our actual revenues in the future are lower than our projections or if customer demand decreases significantly below our projections, we may not meet all of our purchase commitments with these suppliers. As a result, it is possible that our revenues will not be sufficient to recoup our up-front investments, in which case we will have to shift output from our internal manufacturing facilities to these suppliers, resulting in higher internal manufacturing costs, or make penalty-type payments under the terms of these contracts. Additionally, because our markets are volatile, competitive and subject to rapid technology and price changes, we face inventory and other asset risks in the event we do not fully utilize purchase commitments. If we are unable to fully utilize our purchase commitments or if we shift output from our internal manufacturing facilities in order to meet the commitments, our gross margin and operating margin could be materially adversely impacted.
Due to the complexity of our products, some defects may only become detectable after deployment.
Our products are highly complex and are designed to operate in and form part of larger complex networks and storage systems. Our products may contain a defect or be perceived as containing a defect by our customers as a result of improper use or maintenance. Lead times required to manufacture certain components are significant, and a quality excursion may take significant time and resources to remediate. Defects in our products, third-party components or in the networks and systems of which they form a part, directly or indirectly, have resulted in and may in the future result in:
•increased costs and product delays until complex solution level interoperability issues are resolved;
•costs associated with the remediation of any problems attributable to our products;
•loss of or delays in revenues;
•loss of customers;
•failure to achieve market acceptance and loss of market share;
•increased service and warranty costs; and
•increased insurance costs.
Defects in our products could also result in legal actions by our customers for breach of warranty, property damage, injury or death. Such legal actions, including but not limited to product liability claims could exceed the level of insurance coverage that we have obtained. Any significant uninsured claims could significantly harm our financial condition.
RISKS RELATED TO HUMAN CAPITAL
The loss of or inability to attract, retain and motivate key executive officers and employees could negatively impact our business prospects.
Our future performance depends to a significant degree upon the continued service of key members of management as well as marketing, sales and product development personnel. We believe our future success will also depend in large part upon our ability to attract, retain and further motivate highly skilled management, marketing, sales and product development personnel. We have experienced intense competition for qualified and capable personnel, including in the U.S., Thailand, China, Singapore and Northern Ireland, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our key employees or that we will be successful in attracting, assimilating and retaining personnel in the future. Additionally, because a portion of our key personnel’s compensation is contingent upon the performance of our business, including through cash bonuses and equity compensation, when the market price of our ordinary shares fluctuates or our results of operations or financial condition are negatively impacted, we may be at a competitive disadvantage for retaining and hiring employees. The reductions in workforce that result from our historical restructurings have also made and may continue to make it difficult for us to recruit and retain personnel. Increased difficulty in accessing, recruiting or retaining personnel may lead to increased manufacturing and employment compensation costs, which could adversely affect our results of operations. The loss of one or more of our key personnel or the inability to hire and retain key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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We are subject to risks related to corporate and social responsibility and reputation.
Many factors influence our reputation including the perception held by our customers, suppliers, partners, shareholders, other key stakeholders, and the communities in which we operate. We face increasing scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance activities. We risk damage to our reputation if we fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as diversity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, sustainability, supply chain management, climate change, workplace conduct, and human rights. Any harm to our reputation could impact employee engagement and retention, our corporate culture, and the willingness of customers, suppliers, and partners to do business with us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows. Further, despite our policies to the contrary, we may not be able to control the conduct of every individual actor, and our employees and personnel may violate environmental, social or governance standards or engage in other unethical conduct. These acts, or any accusation of such conduct, even if proven to be false, could adversely impact the reputation of our business.
RISKS RELATED TO FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OR GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Changes in the macroeconomic environment have impacted and may in the future negatively impact our results of operations.
Changes, especially when there are rapid changes, in macroeconomic conditions may affect consumer and enterprise spending, and as a result, our customers may postpone or cancel spending in response to volatility in credit and equity markets, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values, all of which may have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products and/or result in significant decreases in our product prices. Other factors that could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products and on our financial condition and results of operations include inflation, slower growth or recession, conditions in the labor market, healthcare costs, access to credit, consumer confidence and other macroeconomic factors affecting consumer and business spending behavior. These changes could happen rapidly and we may not be able to react quickly to prevent or limit our losses or exposures.
Macroeconomic developments such as slowing global economies, trade disputes, sanctions, increased tariffs between the U.S. and China, Mexico and other countries, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) from the EU, or adverse economic conditions worldwide resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts of governments and private industry to slow the pandemic or efforts of governments to stimulate or stabilize the economy may adversely impact our business. Significant inflation and related increases in interest rates, have negatively affected our business in the September 2022 quarter and could continue in the near future to negatively affect our business, operating results or financial condition or the markets in which we operate, which, in turn, could adversely affect the price of our ordinary shares. A general weakening of, and related declining corporate confidence in, the global economy or the curtailment in government or corporate spending could cause current or potential customers to reduce their information technology (“IT”) budgets or be unable to fund data storage products, which could cause customers to delay, decrease or cancel purchases of our products or cause customers to not pay us or to delay paying us for previously purchased products and services.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows from operations and our investments to meet our liquidity requirements, including servicing our indebtedness.
Our business may not generate sufficient cash flows to enable us to meet our liquidity requirements, including working capital, capital expenditures, product development efforts, investments, servicing our indebtedness and other general corporate requirements. If we cannot fund our liquidity requirements, we may have to reduce or delay capital expenditures, product development efforts, investments and other general corporate expenditures. We cannot assure you that any of these remedies would, if necessary, be effected on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or that they would permit us to meet our obligations, which would affect our results of operations.
We are leveraged and require significant amounts of cash to service our debt. Our debt and debt service requirements could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and may limit our ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities and reduce our options for capital allocation. Our high level of debt presents the following risks:
•we are required to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay principal and interest on our debt, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, product development efforts, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances and other general corporate requirements;
•our substantial leverage increases our vulnerability to economic downturns, decreased availability of capital, and adverse competitive and industry conditions and could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to those of our competitors that are less leveraged;
•our debt service obligations could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and our industry, and could limit our ability to pursue other business opportunities, borrow more money for operations or capital in the future and implement our business strategies;
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•our level of debt may restrict us from raising, or make it more costly to raise, additional financing on satisfactory terms to fund working capital, capital expenditures, product development efforts, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances and other general corporate requirements; and
•covenants in our debt instruments limit our ability to pay future dividends or make other restricted payments and investments.
In addition, in the event that we need to refinance all or a portion of our outstanding debt as it matures or incur additional debt to fund our operations, we may not be able to obtain terms as favorable as the terms of our existing debt or refinance our existing debt or incur additional debt to fund our operations at all. If prevailing interest rates or other factors result in higher interest rates upon refinancing, then the interest expense relating to the refinanced debt would increase. Furthermore, if any rating agency changes our credit rating or outlook, our debt and equity securities could be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our ability to refinance existing debt or raise additional capital.
We are subject to counterparty default risks.
We have numerous arrangements with financial institutions that subject us to counterparty default risks, including cash and investment deposits, and foreign currency forward exchange contracts and other derivative instruments. As a result, we are subject to the risk that the counterparty to one or more of these arrangements will, voluntarily or involuntarily, default on its performance obligations. In times of market distress in particular, a counterparty may not comply with its contractual commitments that could then lead to it defaulting on its obligations with little or no notice to us, thereby limiting our ability to take action to lessen or cover our exposure. Additionally, our ability to mitigate our counterparty exposures could be limited by the terms of the relevant agreements or because market conditions prevent us from taking effective action. If one of our counterparties becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, our ability to recover any losses suffered as a result of that counterparty's default may be limited by the liquidity of the counterparty or the applicable laws governing the bankruptcy proceedings. In the event of any such counterparty default, we could incur significant losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
Further, our customers could have reduced access to working capital due to global economic conditions, higher interest rates, reduced bank lending resulting from contractions in the money supply or the deterioration in the customer’s, or their bank’s financial condition or the inability to access other financing, which would increase our credit and non-payment risk, and could result in an increase in our operating costs or a reduction in our revenue. Also, our customers outside of the United States are sometimes allowed longer time periods for payment than our U.S. customers. This increases the risk of nonpayment due to the possibility that the financial condition of particular customers may worsen during the course of the payment period. In addition, some of our OEM customers have adopted a subcontractor model that requires us to contract directly with companies, such as original design manufacturers, that provide manufacturing and fulfillment services to our OEM customers. Because these subcontractors are generally not as well capitalized as our direct OEM customers, this subcontractor model exposes us to increased credit risks. Our agreements with our OEM customers may not permit us to increase our product prices to alleviate this increased credit risk.
Our quarterly results of operations fluctuate, sometimes significantly, from period to period, and may cause our share price to decline.
Our quarterly revenue and results of operations fluctuate, sometimes significantly, from period to period. These fluctuations, which we expect to continue, have been and may continue to be precipitated by a variety of factors, including:
•uncertainty in global economic and political conditions, and instability or war (such as the military action against Ukraine launched by Russia) or adverse changes in the level of economic activity in the major regions in which we do business;
•pandemics, such as COVID-19, or other global health issues that impact our operations as well as those of our customers and suppliers;
•competitive pressures resulting in lower prices by our competitors which may shift demand away from our products;
•announcements of new products, services or technological innovations by us or our competitors, and delays or problems in our introduction of new, more cost-effective products, the inability to achieve high production yields or delays in customer qualification or initial product quality issues;
•changes in customer demand or the purchasing patterns or behavior of our customers;
•application of new or revised industry standards;
•disruptions in our supply chain, including increased costs or adverse changes in availability of supplies of raw materials or components;
•increased costs of electricity and/or other energy sources, freight and logistics costs or other materials or services necessary for the operation of our business;
•the impact of corporate restructuring activities that we have and may continue to engage in;
•changes in the demand for the computer systems and data storage products that contain our products;
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•unfavorable supply and demand imbalances;
•our high proportion of fixed costs, including manufacturing and research and development expenses;
•any impairments in goodwill or other long-lived assets;
•changes in tax laws, such as global tax developments applicable to multinational businesses; the impact of trade barriers, such as import/export duties and restrictions, sanctions, tariffs and quotas, imposed by the U.S. or other countries in which the Company conducts business;
•the evolving legal and regulatory, economic, environmental and administrative climate in the international markets where the Company operates; and
•adverse changes in the performance of our products.
As a result, we believe that quarter-to-quarter and year-over-year comparisons of our revenue and results of operations may not be meaningful, and that these comparisons may not be an accurate indicator of our future performance. Our results of operations in one or more future quarters may fail to meet the expectations of investment research analysts or investors, which could cause an immediate and significant decline in our market value.
Any cost reduction initiatives that we undertake may not deliver the results we expect, and these actions may adversely affect our business.
From time to time, we engage in restructuring plans that have resulted and may continue to result in workforce reduction and consolidation of our real estate facilities and our manufacturing footprint. In addition, management will continue to evaluate our global footprint and cost structure, and additional restructuring plans are expected to be formalized. As a result of our restructurings, we have experienced and may in the future experience a loss of continuity, loss of accumulated knowledge, disruptions to our operations and inefficiency during transitional periods. Additionally, global footprint consolidation and reduction in excess capacity may result in us being unable to respond to increases in forecasted volume of customer demand and loss of revenue opportunity if our competitors have underutilized factories. Any cost-cutting measures could impact employee retention. In addition, we cannot be sure that any future cost reductions or global footprint consolidations will deliver the results we expect, be successful in reducing our overall expenses as we expect or that additional costs will not offset any such reductions or global footprint consolidation. If our operating costs are higher than we expect or if we do not maintain adequate control of our costs and expenses, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
The effect of geopolitical uncertainties, war, terrorism, natural disasters, public health issues and other circumstances, on national and/or international commerce and on the global economy, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Geopolitical uncertainty, terrorism, instability or war, such as the military action against Ukraine launched by Russia, natural disasters, public health issues and other business interruptions have caused and could cause damage or disruption to international commerce and the global economy, and thus could have a strong negative effect on our business, our direct and indirect suppliers, logistics providers, manufacturing vendors and customers. Our business operations are subject to interruption by natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes, fires, power or water shortages, terrorist attacks, other hostile acts, labor disputes, public health issues (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) and related mitigation actions, and other events beyond our control. Such events may decrease demand for our products, make it difficult or impossible for us to make and deliver products to our customers or to receive components from our direct and indirect suppliers, and create delays and inefficiencies in our supply chain.
A significant natural disaster, such as an earthquake, fire, flood, or significant power outage could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. The impact of climate change may increase these risks due to changes in weather patterns, such as increases in storm intensity, sea-level rise, melting of permafrost and temperature extremes in areas where we or our suppliers and customers conduct business. We have a number of our employees and executive officers located in the San Francisco Bay Area, a region known for seismic activity, wildfires and drought conditions, and in Asia, near major earthquake faults known for seismic activity. To mitigate wildfire risk, electric utilities are deploying public safety power shutoffs, which affects electricity reliability to our facilities and our communities. Many of our suppliers and customers are also located in areas with risks of natural disasters. For example, many of our component suppliers are geographically concentrated in Thailand, which suffered severe flooding in October 2011 resulting in a material impact on the production and availability of many components, which caused significant increases in the cost of components. In the event of a natural disaster, losses and significant recovery time could be required to resume operations and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Further, governmental regulations related to the environment such as Singapore’s recent adoption of a law restricting data center development may also adversely affect our customers or our introduction of new products or services resulting in adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations.
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Should major public health issues, including pandemics, arise, we could be negatively affected by stringent employee travel restrictions, additional limitations or cost increases in freight and other logistical services, governmental actions limiting the movement of products or employees between regions, increases in or changes to data collection and reporting obligations, delays in production ramps of new products, and disruptions in our operations and those of some of our key direct and indirect suppliers and customers. For example, the recent COVID-19 pandemic resulted in government-imposed travel restrictions, border closures, stay-at-home orders, facility closures or operating constraints in a number of our global locations, disruptions in our operations and those of our suppliers, partners, and customers, increases in air freight rates, limited numbers of employees available to staff manufacturing operations, and shortages of supplies of personal protective equipment required for our manufacturing operations. If any of these circumstances continue for an extended period of time, our manufacturing ability and capacity, or those of our key direct and indirect suppliers or customers, could be impacted, and our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
LEGAL, REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE RISKS
Our business is subject to various laws, regulations, governmental policies, litigation, governmental investigations or governmental proceedings that may cause us to incur significant expense or adversely impact our results or operations and financial condition.
Our business is subject to regulation under a wide variety of U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. laws, regulations and policies. There can be no assurance that laws, regulations and policies will not be changed in ways that will require us to modify our business model and objectives or affect our returns on investments by restricting existing activities and products, subjecting them to escalating costs or prohibiting them outright. In particular, governmental focus on antitrust and competition law, improper payments, the environment, data privacy, protection, security and sovereignty, currency exchange controls, conflict minerals, import and export controls, complex economic sanctions, and potential further changes to global tax laws and tax laws in any jurisdiction in which we operate have had and may continue to have an effect on our business, corporate structure, operations, sales, liquidity, capital requirements, effective tax rate, results of operations, and financial performance. China, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, Singapore and Thailand, in which we have significant operating assets, and the European Union each have exercised and continue to exercise significant influence over many aspects of their domestic economies including, but not limited to, fair competition, tax practices, anti-corruption, anti-trust, data privacy, protection, security and sovereignty, price controls and international trade.
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Our business is subject to state, federal, and international laws and regulations, relating to data privacy, data protection and data security involving matters including data use, data localization, data transfer, data storage, data retention and deletion, data access, and the protection of data and systems. Compliance with these laws and regulations can be onerous and have increased and may continue to increase our cost of doing business globally or otherwise adversely impact financial results. Our introduction of new products or services, changes to our existing products or services, or the manner in which our customers utilize our products or services may result in new or enhanced costly compliance requirements or governmental or regulatory scrutiny that could adversely affect our business and financial results. Data privacy and data protection regulations also continue to change and may be inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and may adversely affect our business by requiring changes to our business practices, limiting our ability to offer a product or service, or making our products or services less attractive to customers. Laws and regulations related to data transfers, including, data localization, data access, and data storage, also continue to develop and have been subject to regulatory and judicial scrutiny. In many cases, these laws apply to transfers of information between us and our subsidiaries, and among us, our subsidiaries and our customers or other parties with which we have commercial relations. If we are restricted in our sharing of data among countries and regions in which we operate, among our subsidiaries, or with third parties with which we have a commercial relationship, it may increase our compliance costs and adversely impact our operations, the ability to provide our products or services, or the manner in which we provide our product or services. Our business is subject to state, federal, and international laws and regulations that subject us to requirements to notify vendors, customers, or employees of a data security breach. Any actual or perceived data security breach or incident or actual or perceived non-compliance with laws relating to privacy, data protection or data security could result in damage to our brand and reputation including decreased customer demand for our products or services, significant financial penalties and liability, governmental investigations and proceedings, ongoing audit requirements, private or class actions, and unanticipated changes to our data handling or processing practices. We cannot be certain that our insurance coverage is adequate for data-handling or data-security liabilities incurred, or that insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms or at all, or that any insurer will not deny coverage as to any future claim. The successful assertion of one or more claims against us that exceed our insurance coverage, or changes in our insurance policies, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our financial condition, operating results and reputation. For example, the European General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) took effect in May 2018, and applies to our operations, and our products and services used by individuals in Europe. The U.K. has implemented legislation that substantially implements the GDPR, with penalties for noncompliance. Various states, such as California, Colorado, Utah and Connecticut, have implemented similar privacy laws and regulations that impose restrictive requirements regulating the use and disclosure of personal information. The California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), which took effect in January 2020, imposed compliance requirements and new rights for California consumers. The U.S. federal government also is contemplating privacy legislation.
Further, the sale and manufacturing of products in certain states and countries has and may continue to subject us and our suppliers to state, federal and international laws and regulations governing protection of the environment, including those governing climate change, discharges of pollutants into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of contaminated sites, restrictions on the presence of certain substances in electronic products and the responsibility for environmentally safe disposal or recycling. We endeavor to ensure that we and our suppliers comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, however, compliance has increased and may continue to increase our operating costs and may otherwise impact future financial results. If additional or more stringent requirements are imposed on us in the future, we could incur additional operating costs and capital expenditures. If we fail to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations, initiatives, or standards of conduct, our customers may refuse to purchase our products and we could be subject to fines, penalties and possible prohibition of sales of our products into one or more states or countries, liability to our customers and damage to our reputation, which could result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
SEC rules require certain disclosures regarding the use of specified minerals, often referred to as conflict minerals, that are necessary to the functionality or production of products manufactured or contracted to be manufactured. These rules could affect our ability to source, directly or indirectly, certain materials used in our products at competitive prices and could impact the availability of certain minerals used in the manufacture of our products, including gold, tantalum, tin and tungsten. As there may be only a limited number of suppliers of “conflict free” minerals, we cannot be sure that we will be able to obtain necessary conflict free minerals in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Our customers, including our OEM customers, may require that our products be free of conflict minerals, and our revenues and margins may be harmed if we are unable to procure conflict free minerals at a reasonable price, or at all, or are unable to pass through any increased costs associated with meeting these demands. We may also face challenges with government regulators and our customers and suppliers if we are unable to sufficiently verify that the metals used in our products are conflict free. Furthermore, our customers and manufacturing stakeholders may place increased demands on our compliance framework which may in turn negatively impact our relationships with our suppliers. If we are unable to comply with requirements regarding the use of conflict and other minerals, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
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From time to time, we have been and may continue to be involved in various legal, regulatory or administrative investigations, inquiries, negotiations or proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the event of litigation, government investigations or governmental proceedings, we are subject to the inherent risks and uncertainties that may result if outcomes differ from our expectations. In the event of adverse outcomes in any litigation, investigation or government proceeding, we could be required to pay substantial damages, fines or penalties and cease certain practices or activities, which could materially harm our business. The costs associated with litigation and government investigations can also be unpredictable depending on the complexity and length of time devoted to such litigation or investigation. Litigation, investigations or government proceedings may also divert the efforts and attention of our key personnel, which could also harm our business.
In addition, regulation or government scrutiny may impact the requirements for marketing our products and slow our ability to introduce new products, resulting in an adverse impact on our business. Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance, there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors or agents will not violate these or other applicable laws, rules and regulations to which we are and may be subject. Violations of these laws and regulations could lead to significant penalties, restraints on our export or import privileges, monetary fines, government investigations, disruption of our operating activities, damage to our reputation and corporate brand, criminal proceedings and regulatory or other actions that could materially adversely affect our results of operations. The political and media scrutiny surrounding a governmental investigation for the violation of such laws, even if an investigation does not result in a finding of violation, could cause us significant expense and collateral consequences, including reputational harm, that could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Some of our products and services are subject to export control laws and other laws affecting the countries in which our products and services may be sold, distributed, or delivered, and any changes to or violation of these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Due to the global nature of our business, we are subject to import and export restrictions and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations administered by the BIS and the trade and economic sanctions regulations administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). We incorporate encryption technology into certain of our products and solutions. These encryption products and the underlying technology may be exported outside of the United States only with export authorizations, including by license, a license exception or other appropriate government authorizations, including the filing of an encryption registration. The U.S., through the BIS and OFAC, places restrictions on the sale or export of certain products and services to certain countries, persons and entities, as well as for certain end-uses, such as military, military-intelligence and weapons of mass destruction end-uses. The U.S. government also imposes sanctions through executive orders restricting U.S. companies from conducting business activities with specified individuals and companies. Although we have controls and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and orders, we cannot predict whether changes in laws or regulations by the U.S., China or another country will affect our ability to sell our products and services to existing or new customers. Additionally, we cannot ensure that our interpretation of relevant restrictions and regulations will be accepted in all cases by relevant regulatory and enforcement authorities. For example, on August 29, 2022, we received a PCL from the BIS, alleging violations of the EAR. The PCL alleges Seagate acted in violation of the EAR by providing Seagate’s HDDs to a customer and its affiliates listed on the BIS Entity List between August 2020 and September 2021. Seagate has responded to the PCL, setting forth Seagate’s position that it did not engage in prohibited conduct as alleged by BIS, because, among other reasons, Seagate’s HDDs are not subject to the EAR. The matters raised by the PCL remain unresolved at this time, and there can be no assurance as to the timing or terms of any final outcome. Seagate is unable at this time to estimate the range of loss and/or penalty, although it is possible that the outcome could have a material impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
Violators of any U.S. export control and sanctions laws may be subject to significant penalties, which may include monetary fines, criminal proceedings against them and their officers and employees, a denial of export privileges, and suspension or debarment from selling products to the U.S. government. Moreover, the sanctions imposed by the U.S. government could be expanded in the future. Our products could be shipped to those targets or for restricted end-uses by third parties, including potentially our channel partners, despite our precautions. In addition, if our partners fail to obtain appropriate import, export or re-export licenses or permits, we may also be adversely affected, through reputational harm as well as other negative consequences including government investigations and penalties. A significant portion of our sales are to customers in Asia Pacific and in other geographies that have been the recent focus of changes in U.S. policies. Any further limitation that impedes our ability to export or sell our products and services could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
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Other countries also regulate the import and export of certain encryption and other technology, including import and export licensing requirements, and have enacted laws that could limit our ability to sell or distribute our products and services or could limit our partners’ or customers’ ability to sell or use our products and services in those countries, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Violations of these regulations may result in significant penalties and fines. Changes in our products and services or future changes in export and import regulations may create delays in the introduction of our products and services in those countries, prevent our customers from deploying our products and services globally or, in some cases, prevent the export or import or sale of our products and services to certain countries, governments or persons altogether. From time to time, various governmental agencies have proposed additional regulation of encryption technology, including the escrow and government recovery of private encryption keys. Any change in export or import regulations, economic sanctions or related legislation, increased export and import controls, or change in the countries, governments, persons or technologies targeted by such regulations, in the countries where we operate could result in decreased use of our products and services by, or in our decreased ability to export or sell our products and services to, new or existing customers, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
If we were ever found to have violated applicable export control laws, we may be subject to penalties which could have a material and adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Even if we were not found to have violated such laws, the political and media scrutiny surrounding any governmental investigation of us could cause us significant expense and reputational harm. Such collateral consequences could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Changes in U.S. trade policy, including the imposition of sanctions or tariffs and the resulting consequences, may have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
We face uncertainty with regard to U.S. government trade policy. Current U.S. government trade policy includes tariffs on certain non-U.S. goods, including information and communication technology products. These measures may materially increase costs for goods imported into the United States. This in turn could require us to materially increase prices to our customers which may reduce demand, or, if we are unable to increase prices to adequately address any tariffs, quotas or duties, could lower our margin on products sold and negatively impact our financial performance. Changes in U.S. trade policy have resulted in, and could result in more, U.S. trading partners adopting responsive trade policies, including imposition of increased tariffs, quotas or duties. Such policies could make it more difficult or costly for us to export our products to those countries, therefore negatively impacting our financial performance.
We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, confidentiality agreements, security measures and licensing arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. In the past, we have been involved in significant and expensive disputes regarding our intellectual property rights and those of others, including claims that we may be infringing patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights of third parties. We expect that we will be involved in similar disputes in the future.
There can be no assurance that:
•any of our existing patents will continue to be held valid, if challenged;
•patents will be issued for any of our pending applications;
•any claims allowed from existing or pending patents will have sufficient scope or strength to protect us;
•our patents will be issued in the primary countries where our products are sold in order to protect our rights and potential commercial advantage;
•we will be able to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information through confidentiality agreements with our customers, suppliers and employees and through other security measures; and
•others will not gain access to our trade secrets.
In addition, our competitors may be able to design their products around our patents and other proprietary rights. Enforcement of our rights often requires litigation. If we bring a patent infringement action and are not successful, our competitors would be able to use similar technology to compete with us. Moreover, the defendant in such an action may successfully countersue us for infringement of their patents or assert a counterclaim that our patents are invalid or unenforceable.
Furthermore, we have significant operations and sales in countries where intellectual property laws and enforcement policies are often less developed, less stringent or more difficult to enforce than in the United States. Therefore, we cannot be certain that we will be able to protect our intellectual property rights in jurisdictions outside the United States.
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We are at times subject to intellectual property proceedings and claims which could cause us to incur significant additional costs or prevent us from selling our products, and which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject from time-to-time to legal proceedings and claims, including claims of alleged infringement of the patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights of third parties by us, or our customers, in connection with the use of our products. Intellectual property litigation can be expensive and time-consuming, regardless of the merits of any claim, and could divert our management’s attention from operating our business. In addition, intellectual property lawsuits are subject to inherent uncertainties due to the complexity of the technical issues involved, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Some of the actions that we face from time-to-time seek injunctions against the sale of our products and/or substantial monetary damages, which, if granted or awarded, could materially harm our business, financial condition and operating results.
We cannot be certain that our products do not and will not infringe issued patents or other intellectual property rights of others. We may not be aware of currently filed patent applications that relate to our products or technology. If patents are later issued on these applications, we may be liable for infringement. If our products were found to infringe the intellectual property rights of others, we could be required to pay substantial damages, cease the manufacture, use and sale of infringing products in one or more geographic locations, expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology, discontinue the use of specific processes or obtain licenses to the technology infringed. We might not be able to obtain the necessary licenses on acceptable terms, or at all, or be able to reengineer our products successfully to avoid infringement. Any of the foregoing could cause us to incur significant costs and prevent us from selling our products, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. See “Item 1. Financial Statements—Note 12. Legal, Environmental and Other Contingencies” contained in this report for a description of pending intellectual property proceedings.
Our business and certain products and services depend in part on IP and technology licensed from third parties, as well as data centers and infrastructure operated by third parties.
Some of our business and some of our products rely on or include software licensed from third parties, including open source licenses. We may not be able to obtain or continue to obtain licenses from these third parties at all or on reasonable terms, or such third parties may demand cross-licenses to our intellectual property. Third-party components and technology may become obsolete, defective or incompatible with future versions of our products or services, or our relationship with the third party may deteriorate, or our agreements may expire or be terminated. We may face legal or business disputes with licensors that may threaten or lead to the disruption of inbound licensing relationships. In order to remain in compliance with the terms of our licenses, we monitor and manage our use of third-party software, including both proprietary and open source license terms to avoid subjecting our products and services to conditions we do not intend, such as the licensing or public disclosure of our intellectual property without compensation or on undesirable terms. The terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. courts, and these licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to commercialize our products or services. Additionally, some of these licenses may not be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable or that allow our product offerings to remain competitive. Our inability to obtain licenses or rights on favorable terms could have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow, including if we are required to take remedial action that may divert resources away from our development efforts.
In addition, we also rely upon third-party hosted infrastructure partners globally to serve customers and operate certain aspects of our business or services. Any disruption of or interference at our hosted infrastructure partners would impact our operations and our business could be adversely impacted.
RISKS RELATED TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, DATA AND INFORMATION SECURITY
We could suffer a loss of revenue and increased costs, exposure to significant liability including legal and regulatory consequences, reputational harm and other serious negative consequences in the event of cyber-attacks, ransomware or other cyber security breaches or incidents that disrupt our operations or result in unauthorized access to, or the loss, corruption, unavailability or dissemination of proprietary or confidential information of our customers or about us or other third parties.
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Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our digital infrastructure and data. We manage and store various proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data relating to our operations, as well as to our customers, suppliers, employees and other third parties, and we will store subscribers’ data on our edge-to-cloud mass storage platform. As our operations become more automated and increasingly interdependent and our edge-to-cloud mass storage platform service grows, our exposure to the risks posed by storage, transfer, and maintenance of data, such as corruption, loss or unavailability of, or damage to, and other security risks to, data, will continue to increase. We use third-party vendors to store and otherwise process data for us and they face similar risks. The measures we and our vendors have implemented to secure our computer equipment and data belonging to us, our customers, suppliers, employees or other third parties have been and may continue to be vulnerable to phishing, employee error, hacking, ransomware and other cyberattacks, malfeasance, system error or other irregularities or incidents, including from breaches and incidents or attacks at third party vendors we utilize, and may not be sufficient for all eventualities. We cannot ensure that any limitation-of-liability provisions in our customer and user agreements, contracts with third-party vendors and service providers or other contracts are enforceable or adequate or would protect us from any liabilities or damages with respect to claims relating to a security breach or other security-related matter. Threat actors may be able to penetrate our network security, misappropriate or compromise confidential information and other data, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. Threat actors also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms and other malicious software programs that attack our products and services or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities of our products and services. Such attempts are increasing in technical sophistication, number and the ability to evade detection or to obscure such activities. We anticipate that these threats will continue to grow in scope and complexity over time. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, or to sabotage systems, change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Although we take steps to protect against and detect such attempts, our efforts may not be sufficient for all eventualities, including sustained maintenance of remote working requirements. In addition, sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that we produce or procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture, including “bugs” and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with the operation of the system or our services. We have been, and will likely continue to be, subject to computer viruses or other malicious code, cyber-attacks or other computer-related attempts to breach the IT systems we use for these purposes. We have been and may also continue to be subject to IT system failures and network disruptions due to these factors. To date, these attacks have not had a material impact on our operations, but we cannot provide assurance that they will not have a material impact in the future. The insurance coverage we maintain that is intended to address certain data security risks may be insufficient to cover all types of claims or losses that may arise, and such insurance has been increasing in price over time. We cannot be certain that insurance coverage will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all.
The costs to us to eliminate or address the foregoing security problems and security vulnerabilities before or after a security breach or incident could be significant. System redundancy may be ineffective or inadequate, certain legacy IT systems may not be easily remediated, and our disaster recovery planning may not be sufficient for all eventualities. Our remediation efforts may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays or cessation of service, and loss of existing or potential customers that may impede our sales, manufacturing, distribution or other critical functions. We could lose existing or potential customers for cloud and outsourcing services or other IT solutions in connection with any actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in our products and services. Some of our products and services contain encryption and other measures implemented in an effort to protect third-party content stored on our products. Such measures may be compromised, breached or circumvented or otherwise fail and losses or unauthorized access to or releases of our, our customers’ or third parties’ confidential information may occur. Security breaches or incidents and unauthorized access to, or loss, corruption, unavailability, or the unapproved dissemination of proprietary information or sensitive or confidential data about us or our customers or other third parties, has exposed us and could expose us, our vendors and customers or other third parties affected to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, and result in litigation or governmental investigations, fines, penalties, indemnity obligations and other potential liability and costs for us, materially damage our brand or otherwise materially harm our business. In addition, we rely in certain capacities on third-party data management providers whose possible security problems and security vulnerabilities may have similar effects on us. Our business, brand and reputation could also be materially adversely affected by media or other reports of perceived security vulnerabilities in our products, services, network or processes, even if unsubstantiated.
We must successfully maintain and upgrade our IT systems, and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
From time to time, we expand and improve our IT systems to support our business going forward. Consequently, we are in the process of implementing, and will continue to invest in and implement, modifications and upgrades to our IT systems and procedures, including making changes to legacy systems or acquiring new systems with new functionality, and building new policies, procedures, training programs and monitoring tools.
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We are engaged in a multi-year implementation of a new global enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”) which requires significant investment of human and financial resources. The ERP is designed to efficiently maintain our financial records and provide information important to the operation of our business to our management team. In implementing the ERP, we may experience significant increases to inherent costs and risks associated with changing and acquiring these systems, policies, procedures and monitoring tools, including capital expenditures, additional operating expenses, demands on management time and other risks and costs of delays or difficulties in transitioning to or integrating new systems policies, procedures or monitoring tools into our current systems. Any significant disruption or deficiency in the design and implementation of the ERP may adversely affect our ability to process orders, ship product, send invoices and track payments, fulfill contractual obligations, maintain effective disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting or otherwise operate our business. These implementations, modifications and upgrades may not result in productivity improvements at a level that outweighs the costs of implementation, or at all. In addition, difficulties with implementing new technology systems, such as ERP, delays in our timeline for planned improvements, significant system failures or our inability to successfully modify our IT systems, policies, procedures or monitoring tools to respond to changes in our business needs in the past have caused and in the future may cause disruptions in our business operations, increase data security risks, and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO OWNING OUR ORDINARY SHARES
The price of our ordinary shares may be volatile and could decline significantly.
The market price of our ordinary shares has fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate or decline significantly in response to various factors some of which are beyond our control, including:
•general stock market conditions, or general uncertainty in stock market conditions due to global economic conditions and negative financial news unrelated to our business or industry, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
•the timing and amount of or the discontinuance of our share repurchases;
•actual or anticipated variations in our results of operations;
•announcements of innovations, new products, significant contracts, acquisitions, or significant price reductions by us or our competitors, including those competitors who offer alternative storage technology solutions;
•our failure to meet our guidance or the performance estimates of investment research analysts, or changes in financial estimates by investment research analysts;
•significant announcements by or changes in financial condition of a large customer;
•the ability of our customers to procure necessary components which may impact their demand or timing of their demand for our products, especially during a period of persistent supply chain shortages;
•reduction in demand from our key customers due to macroeconomic conditions that reduce cloud, enterprise or consumer spending;
•actual or perceived security breaches or security vulnerabilities;
•the occurrence of major catastrophic events, including natural disasters, acts of war or climate change;
•actual or anticipated changes in the credit ratings of our indebtedness by rating agencies; and
•the sale of our ordinary shares held by certain equity investors or members of management.
In addition, in the past, following periods of decline in the market price of a company’s securities, class action lawsuits have often been pursued against that company. If similar litigation were pursued against us, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Any decision to reduce or discontinue the payment of cash dividends to our shareholders or the repurchase of our ordinary shares pursuant to our previously announced share repurchase program could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline significantly.
Although historically we have announced regular cash dividend payments and a share repurchase program, we are under no obligation to pay cash dividends to our shareholders in the future at historical levels or at all or to repurchase our ordinary shares at any particular price or at all. The declaration and payment of any future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Our previously announced share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Our payment of quarterly cash dividends and the repurchase of our ordinary shares pursuant to our share repurchase program are subject to, among other things, our financial position and results of operations, distributable reserves, available cash and cash flow, capital and regulatory requirements, market and economic conditions, our ordinary share price and other factors. Any reduction or discontinuance by us of the payment of quarterly cash dividends or the repurchase of our ordinary shares pursuant to our share repurchase program could cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline significantly. Moreover, in the event our payment of quarterly cash dividends or repurchases of our ordinary shares are reduced or discontinued, our failure to resume such activities at historical levels could result in a persistent lower market valuation of our ordinary shares.
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ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Repurchase of Equity Securities
All repurchases of our outstanding ordinary shares are effected as redemptions in accordance with our Constitution.
As of September 30, 2022, $1.9 billion remained available for repurchases under the existing repurchase authorization. There is no expiration date on this authorization. The timing of purchases will depend upon prevailing market conditions, alternative uses of capital and other factors. We may limit or terminate the repurchase program at any time.
The following table sets forth information with respect to all repurchases of our ordinary shares made during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022, including statutory tax withholdings related to vesting of employee equity awards (in millions, except average price paid per share):
Period
Total Number of Shares Repurchased(1)
Average Price Paid Per Share(1)
Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)
July 2, 2022 through July 29, 20222 $77.29 2 $2,256 
July 30, 2022 through August 26, 20222 79.49 2 2,086 
August 27, 2022 through September 30, 20222 68.58 2 1,927 
Total6 6 
__________________________________________
(1) Repurchase of shares pursuant to the repurchase program described above, as well as tax withholdings.
ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
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ITEM 6.EXHIBITS
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No. Description of ExhibitForm File No.ExhibitFiling DateFiled Herewith
3.110-K001-315603.18/6/2021
3.2S-8001-315604.110/20/2021
10.1+X
10.2+X
10.3+X
10.4X
31.1 X
31.2 X
32.1†
 X
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
104Inline XBRL Cover page and contained in Exhibit 101.
+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
† The certifications attached as Exhibit 32.1 that accompany this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Seagate Technology Holdings plc under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Form 10-Q, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
  SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
     
DATE:October 27, 2022 BY:/s/ Gianluca Romano
    Gianluca Romano
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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EXHIBIT 10.1

Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company
2022 Equity Incentive Plan
Option Agreement

1.Grant of Option. Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (the “Company”), hereby grants to the Participant named in Section 2 below (the “Participant”) an option (the “Option”) to purchase the number of the Company’s ordinary shares (the “Shares”) set forth in Section 2 below at the exercise price per Share set forth in Section 2 (the “Exercise Price”) subject to the terms and conditions of the Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time and including any exhibits thereto (the “Plan”) and this Option Agreement, including any exhibits hereto (the “Agreement”). In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, any capitalized term used in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan.
2.Option Terms. Subject to further detail included in this Agreement, the key terms related to the Option are as follows:
(a)Participant:
(b)Global ID Number:
(c)Date of Grant:
(d)Grant Number:
(e)Vesting Commencement Date:
(f)Exercise Price (Per Share):
(g)Number of Shares Subject to Option:
(h)Total Exercise Price:
(i)Expiration Date:
(j)Type of Grant: Nonstatutory Share Option.
(k)Exercise Schedule: Same as Vesting Schedule.
(l)Vesting Schedule. Subject to the Participant’s Continuous Service with the Company or one of its Affiliates, 25% of the Shares shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, and an additional 1/48 of the Shares shall vest at the end of each full month thereafter, until the fourth anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, subject to the vesting conditions described in Section 3 below. If, on any vesting date, this Vesting Schedule would result in the vesting of a fraction of a Share, such fraction shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share.
(m)Payment. By cash or check or other method of payment permitted under Section 4(d) of the Agreement.

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3.Vesting.
(a)Subject to Sections 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) below, the Option shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in Section 2 above. The portion of the Option which has become vested and exercisable as described in this Section 3 is hereinafter referred to as the “Vested Portion.”
(b)In the event of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service on account of the Participant’s death, the Participant shall be deemed to have completed an additional year of service for purposes of determining the portion of the Option which is the Vested Portion.
(c)Subject to the terms of the Seagate Technology Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan, as amended from time to time, or other similar plan (the “Severance Plan”), in the event of Participant’s termination of Continuous Service for any reason, the Option shall, to the extent not then vested, be canceled by the Company without consideration, as further described in Section 7(p) below. The Vested Portion of the Option which is vested as of the date of such termination (after giving effect to the terms of the Severance Plan or Section 3(b) above, if applicable) shall remain exercisable for the period set forth in Section 4(b) below.
(d)The Committee may, in its sole discretion, suspend vesting of the Option if the Participant is on a leave of absence to the extent permitted by applicable laws. 
4.Exercise of Option.
(a)Eligibility to Exercise Option. During the Participant’s lifetime, only the Participant may exercise the Option. Should the Participant die while holding the Option, the Vested Portion of the Option shall remain exercisable by the Participant’s executor or administrator, or the person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under this Agreement shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution, as the case may be, for the period set forth in Section 4(b) below. Any heir or legatee of the Participant shall take rights herein granted subject to the terms and conditions hereof.
(b)Period of Exercise. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, including the provision set forth in Section 7(n) below, the Participant may exercise all or any part of the Vested Portion of the Option at any time prior to the earliest to occur of:
(i) the “Expiration Date” set forth in Section 2 above;
(ii) three (3) months following the date of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service for any reason (other than as a result of death or Disability or for Cause); provided, however, that if termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service by the Company or an Affiliate is not for Cause and if the exercise of the Vested Portion of the Option following such termination would be prohibited because the issuance of Shares would violate either the registration requirements under the Securities Act (or other applicable securities law) or the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (A) the ”Expiration Date” set forth in Section 2 above or (b) the expiration of a period of three (3) months after termination during which time the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of either such registration requirements (or other applicable securities law) or the Company’s insider trading policy;
(iii) one year following the date of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service as a result of death or Disability (as defined in the Plan); and
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(iv) the date of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service for Cause.
For purposes of this Agreement:
“Cause” shall mean (A) the Participant’s continued failure substantially to perform the material duties of his office (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness), (B) the fraud, embezzlement or theft by the Participant of the Company’s property (or any Affiliate’s property), (C) the conviction of such Participant of, or plea of nolo contendere by the Participant to, a felony under the laws of the United States or any state (or the equivalent under the laws of any other jurisdiction), (D) the Participant’s willful malfeasance or willful misconduct in connection with the Participant’s duties to the Company (or any Affiliate) or any other act or omission which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any Affiliate, or (E) a material breach by the Participant of the terms of his employment agreement or any non-compete, non-solicitation or confidentiality provisions to which the Participant is subject; provided, however, that if the Participant is eligible to receive benefits under a Severance Plan containing a definition of “Cause,” then that definition shall control.
(c)Manner of Exercise. The Vested Portion of the Option may be exercised by delivering to the Company at its principal office (or to the Company’s designee) notice of intent to so exercise; provided, however, that the Option may be exercised with respect to whole Shares only. Such notice shall specify the number of Shares for which the Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Exercise Price, any applicable Tax-Related Items (as defined in Section 7 below) and any written representations, warranties or agreements as may be reasonably required by the Company to comply (or evidence compliance) with applicable laws with regard to the acquisition, issuance and sale of the Shares. The Company shall have the right to specify the manner of exercise, which may vary by country and which may be subject to change from time to time.
(d)Method of Payment. The Exercise Price for the Shares as to which the Option is exercised shall be paid to the Company by any of the following (or a combination thereof): (i) cash or check, (ii) provided there is a public market for the Shares at the time of exercise and pursuant to rules and procedures established by the Company from time to time, through the delivery of irrevocable instruments to a broker to sell all or a portion of such Shares and deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the Shares being purchased, or (iii) if permitted by the Committee, in its sole discretion, in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the Shares being purchased.
The Company reserves the right to restrict the available methods of payment to the extent it determines in its sole discretion that such restriction is required to comply with applicable laws with regard to the acquisition and issuance of the Shares or desirable for the administration of the Plan, or to otherwise modify the available methods of payment to the extent permitted under the terms of the Plan.
(e)Compliance with Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, unless there is an available exemption from any registration, qualification or other legal requirement applicable to the Shares, the Company shall not be required to deliver any Shares purchased upon exercise of the Option prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of the Shares under any local, state, federal or foreign law or under rulings or regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, or prior to the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any local, state, federal or foreign governmental agency, which registration, qualification or approval the Company shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable. Further, Participant agrees that the Company shall have unilateral authority to amend the Plan and this Agreement
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without Participant’s consent to the extent necessary to comply with securities or other laws applicable to the issuance of the Shares.
(f)Shareholder Rights. The Participant shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company in respect of any Shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until such Shares have been issued by the Company to the Participant. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Article 12 of the Plan.
5.Transferability. The Option may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.
6.Responsibility for Taxes.
(a)Regardless of any action the Company, any of its Affiliates or the Participant's employer (the “Employer”) take with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefit tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable or deemed applicable to the Participant (“Tax-Related Items”), the Participant acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount, if any, actually withheld by the Company or the Affiliate. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or any Affiliate (a) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Option, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such exercise and the receipt of any dividends; and (b) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Participant is subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Affiliate may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
(b)Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, the Participant will pay to the Company or the Affiliate an amount equal to, or will make arrangements acceptable to the Company and the Affiliate to satisfy, any withholding obligation with respect to the Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the Participant authorizes the Company and/or its Affiliates, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy any withholding obligation with respect to the Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following: (i) withholding from the Participant’s wages or other cash compensation payable to the Participant by the Company and/or the Affiliate; (ii) withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option (either through a voluntary or mandatory sale); or (iii) withholding in Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option; provided, however, that if the Participant is an Officer, the Committee (as constituted to satisfy Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) shall approve the use of withholding in Shares to the extent necessary or desirable to exempt the transaction under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
(c)The Company or the Affiliate may, withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering statutory or other withholding rates, including minimum or maximum rates applicable in your jurisdictions(s). In the event of over-withholding, the Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash (with no entitlement to the equivalent in Shares), or if not refunded, you may seek a refund from the local tax authorities. In the event of under-withholding, you may be required to pay any additional Tax-Related Items directly to the applicable tax authority or to the Company and/or the Affiliate. If the obligation for Tax-Related
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Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares as described in (iii) above, for tax purposes, the Participant will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the exercised portion of the Option, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items due as a result of any aspect of the Participant’s participation in the Plan.
(d)Finally, the Participant agrees to pay the Company or the Affiliate any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Affiliate may be required to withhold as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan or the vesting and exercise of the Option that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company or the Affiliate may refuse to honor the exercise or refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares unless and until the Participant has complied with the obligations related to Tax-Related Items described in this Section 6.
7.Nature of Grant. In accepting the Option, the Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that:
(a)the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature, and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan;
(b)the grant of the Option is exceptional, voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options, or benefits in lieu of options, even if options have been granted repeatedly in the past;
(c)all decisions with respect to future option grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;
(d)the Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan;
(e)the Participant's participation in the Plan will not create a right to employment and shall not interfere with the ability of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the Participant’s Continuous Service at any time;
(f)the Option and any Shares subject to the Option, and the income from and value of the same, are extraordinary items that do not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Company or any Affiliate, and which is outside the scope of the Participant’s employment or service contract, or consulting arrangement, if any;
(g)the Option and any Shares subject to the Option, and the income from and value of the same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;
(h)the Option and any Shares subject to the Option are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purposes, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, holiday pay, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services to the Company or any Affiliate;
(i)the Option grant will not be interpreted to form or amend an employment or service contract or relationship with the Company or any Affiliate;
(j)the future value of the Shares subject to the Option is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;
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(k)if the Shares subject to the Option do not increase in value, the Option will have no value;
(l)if the Participant exercises the Option and acquires Shares, the value of such Shares may increase or decrease, even below the Exercise Price;
(m)no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Option or the recoupment of any Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option resulting from (a) termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service as described in Section 3(c) above and in Section 6.6 of the Plan (regardless of the reason for the termination and whether or not the termination is in breach of any applicable law in the country where the Participant resides, even if such law is otherwise applicable to the Participant’s employment benefits, and whether or not such termination is later found to be invalid), and/or (b) the application of any recoupment policy as described in Section 11.5 of the Plan or any recovery or clawback policy otherwise required by law;
(n)neither the Company nor any affiliate shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between the Participant’s local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of this Option or of any amounts due to the Participant pursuant to the issuance of Shares upon exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of such Shares;
(o)unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the Option and the Shares subject to the Option, and the income and value of the same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service the Participant may provide as a director of an Affiliate of the Company; and
(p)for purposes of the Option, the Participant's Continuous Service will be considered terminated as of the date he or she is no longer actively employed by and/or providing services to the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable; the Participant's right, if any, to vest in the Option and/or exercise the Vested Portion of the Option after termination of Continuous Service (regardless of whether the termination is in breach of any applicable laws in the country where the Participant resides or providing services, even if such law is otherwise applicable to the Participant’s employment benefits, and whether or not such termination is later found to be invalid) will be measured by the date the Participant ceases to be actively employed and/or actively providing services and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under any employment law in the country where the Participant resides, even if such law is otherwise applicable to the Participant’s employment benefits (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period); the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine when the Participant is no longer actively employed and/or providing services for purposes of the Option (including whether the Participant may still be considered actively employed and/or providing services while on a leave of absence).
8.No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding the Participant’s participation in the Plan, or the Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares. The Participant should consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.
9.Data Privacy.
(a)You are hereby notified of the collection, use and transfer outside of the European Economic Area, in electronic or other form, of your Data (defined below) by and among, as applicable, the Company and certain of its Affiliates for the exclusive and legitimate purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan.
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(b)You understand that the Company and its Affiliates hold certain personal information about you, including, but not limited to, your name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance, passport or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor (“Data”), for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.
(c)You understand that providing the Company with this Data is necessary for the performance of this Agreement and that your refusal to provide the Data would make it impossible for the Company to perform its contractual obligations and may affect your ability to participate in the Plan. Your Data shall be accessible within the Company only by the persons specifically charged with Data processing operations and by the persons that need to access the Data because of their duties and position in relation to the performance of this Agreement.
(d)The Company will use your Data only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your participation in the Plan or as required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, including under tax and securities laws. When the Company no longer needs your Data, it will remove it from its systems. If the Company keeps Data longer, it would be to satisfy legal or regulatory obligations and the Company’s legal basis would be relevant laws or regulations. You have a number of rights under data privacy laws in your country. Depending on where you are based, your rights may include the right to (i) request access or copies of Data the Company processes, (ii) rectification of incorrect Data, (iii) deletion of Data, (iv) restrictions on processing, (v) portability of Data, (vi) to lodge complaints with competent authorities in your country, and/or (vii) a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of your Data. To receive clarification regarding your rights or to exercise your rights please contact the Company at Attn: Data Protection Officer, data.protection.officer@seagate.com.
(e)Further, you understand that the Company will transfer Data to E*TRADE Corporate Financial Services, Inc. and E*TRADE Securities LLC (collectively, “E*TRADE”), and/or such other third parties as may be selected by the Company, which are assisting the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The Company may select a different service provider or additional service providers and share Data with such other provider(s) serving in a similar manner. You may be asked to agree on separate terms and data processing practices with the service provider, with such agreement being a condition of the ability to participate in the Plan.
(f)E*TRADE is based in the United States. Your country or jurisdiction may have different data privacy laws and protections than the United States. If you are outside of the United States, you should note that your country has enacted data privacy laws that are different from the United States. By participating in the Plan, you agree to the transfer of your Data to E*TRADE for the exclusive purpose of administering your participation in the Plan. The Company's legal basis, where required, for the transfer of Data to E*TRADE is your consent.
(g)Finally, you may choose to opt out of allowing the Company to share your Data with E*TRADE and others as described above, although execution of such choice may mean the Company cannot grant awards under the Plan to you. For questions about this choice or to make this choice, you should contact Equity Administration at stockadmin@seagate.com.
10.Electronic Delivery and Participation. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic
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means or to request the Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through an online or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or any third party designated by the Company.
11.Notices. Any notices provided for in this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by the Company to the Participant, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Participant at the last address he or she provided to the Company. Any such notices from the Company to the Participant may also be delivered through the Company’s electronic mail system (during the Participant’s Continuous Service) or at the last email address the Participant provided to the Company (after termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service).
12.Choice of Law and Venue. The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to such state’s conflicts of law rules, as provided in the Plan. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this grant or the Agreement, the parties hereby submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Alameda County, California, or the federal courts for the United States for the Northern District of California, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.
13.Country-Specific Provisions. The Option shall be subject to any special provisions set forth in Exhibit A for the Participant’s country, if any. If the Participant relocates to one of the countries included in Exhibit A during the life of the Option or while holding Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, the special provisions for such country shall apply to the Participant, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such provisions is necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable laws with regard to the acquisition, issuance or sale of the Shares or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Exhibit A constitutes part of this Agreement.
14.Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on your participation in the Plan, the Option and on any Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable laws with regard to the acquisition, issuance or sale of Shares or facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require the Participant to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.
15.Insider Trading Restrictions/Market Abuse Laws. The Participant acknowledges that, depending on the Participant’s or the Participant’s broker’s country of residence or where the Shares are listed, he or she may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws which may affect the Participant’s ability to accept, acquire, sell or otherwise dispose of Shares or rights to Shares (e.g., options) or rights linked to the value of the Shares under the Plan during such times as he or she is considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws or regulations in the applicable jurisdictions or the Participant’s country). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders the Participant placed before he or she possessed inside information. Furthermore, the Participant could be prohibited from (i) disclosing the inside information to any third party (other than on a “need to know” basis) and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them otherwise to buy or sell securities. Third parties include fellow employees. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company securities trading policy. The Participant is responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and the Participant is instructed to speak with the Participant’s personal legal advisor on this matter.
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16.Foreign Asset/Account Reporting; Exchange Controls and Tax Reporting. Without limitation to any specific information stated in Exhibit A, the Participant acknowledges that his or her country may have certain foreign asset and/or account reporting requirements ,exchange controls, tax reporting or other requirements which may affect the Participant’s ability to purchase or hold Shares subject to the Plan or cash received from participating in the Plan (including from any dividends received or sale proceeds arising from the sale of Shares) in a brokerage or bank account outside the Participant’s country. He or she may be required to report such accounts, assets or transactions to the tax or other authorities in the Participant’s country. He or she also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan to his or her country through a designated bank or broker and/or within a certain time after receipt. The Participant further acknowledges that it is his or her responsibility for ensuring compliance with any applicable regulations, and that he or she should consult the Participant’s personal legal advisor for any details.
17.Waiver. The Participant acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by the Participant or any other participant.
18.Recoupment.
(a)    Compensation Recovery for Fraud and Misconduct Policy. The Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that, to the extent he or she is or becomes subject to the Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company Compensation Recovery for Fraud and Misconduct Policy, as amended from time to time (the “Compensation Recovery Policy”), the terms and conditions of the Policy are hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement and shall apply to (a) the Option, (b) each outstanding share award granted or issued to the Participant (pursuant to which Shares may be issued or payments deriving their value from the Shares may be made), and (c) the gain received in connection with the vesting, exercise and/or issuance of any share award (i.e., the market value of the Shares on the vesting, exercise and/or issuance date, as applicable, less (i) any price paid for the Shares and (ii) any Tax-Related Items withheld from or paid by Participant in connection with the vesting, exercise and/or issuance of the share award), in each case without regard to whether such award was granted or issued under a share plan of the Company, a predecessor to the Company or a company acquired by the Company or outside a share plan; provided, however, that such award was granted or such gain was received within the three years prior to the Date of Grant. A copy of the current version of the Compensation Recovery Policy is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B.
(b)    Other Required Recoupments. Without derogating from the terms of Section 18(a) hereof, as an additional condition of receiving the Option, the Participant agrees that the Option and any benefits or proceeds the Participant may receive hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture and/or repayment to the Company to the extent required (i) under the terms of any other recoupment or “clawback” policy adopted by the Company, as may be amended from time to time (and such requirements shall be deemed incorporated into this Agreement without the Participant's consent), or (ii) to comply with any requirements imposed under applicable laws and/or the rules and regulations of the securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Further, if the Participant receives any amount in excess of what the Participant should have received under the terms of the Option for any reason (including without limitation by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or administrative error), all as determined by the Committee, then the Participant shall be required to promptly repay any such excess amount to the Company.

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(c)    Execution of Recoupment. The Participant hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as the Participant’s true and lawful attorney for the purpose of undertaking all actions and executing all deeds and documentation that may be required to be executed to enforce the recovery of compensation pursuant to the Compensation Recovery Policy under Section 18(a) hereof or pursuant to any other required recoupment under Section 18(b).

19.Amendments. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of the Option; provided, however, that the rights under any Option shall not be materially impaired by any such amendment unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing; provided, however, that the Company may amend the terms of the Option without your consent pursuant to Section 14 hereof, if it determines that such amendment is necessary for legal reasons.
20.Language. You acknowledge that you are proficient in the English language or have consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English so as to allow you to understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If the Participant has received this or any other document related to the Plan or this Option translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.
21.Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
22.Participant’s Acknowledgements. By indicating acceptance of the Option through the Company’s online acceptance procedure, the Participant acknowledges that: (a) he or she has received, and understands and agrees to the terms of, this Agreement and the Plan (including any exhibits to each document), (b) he or she accepts the Option on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan (including any exhibits to each document), and (c) this Agreement and the Plan (including any exhibits to each document) set forth the entire understanding between the Participant and the Company regarding the rights to acquire the Shares subject to this Option and supersede all prior oral and written agreements with respect thereto.
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EXHIBIT 10.2

Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company
2022 Equity Incentive Plan
Restricted Share Unit Agreement

1.Grant of Restricted Share Units. Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (the “Company”), hereby grants to you (the Participant named in Section 2 below) the number of Restricted Share Units set forth in Section 2 below subject to the terms and conditions of the Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time and including any exhibits thereto (the “Plan”) and this Restricted Share Unit Agreement, including any exhibits hereto (the “Agreement”) (collectively, the “Award”). In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, any capitalized term used in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan.
2.Award Terms. Subject to further detail included in this Agreement, the key terms related to the Award are as follows:
(a)Participant:
(b)Global ID Number:
(c)Date of Grant:
(d)Grant Number:
(e)Vesting Commencement Date:
(f)Number of Restricted Share Units:
(g)Vesting Schedule. [Subject to your Continuous Service with the Company or one of its Affiliates, 100% of the Restricted Share Units shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, subject to the vesting conditions described in Section 3 below.]1 [Subject to your Continuous Service with the Company or one of its Affiliates and the vesting conditions described in Section 3 below, 25% of the number of Restricted Share Units granted shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, and the remaining 75% of the number of Restricted Share Units granted shall vest thereafter in twelve quarterly installments, each equal to 6.25% of the number of Restricted Share Units granted, such that the Award shall be fully vested approximately four years following the Vesting Commencement Date. For purposes of the foregoing, the Restricted Share Units shall vest on the same day of the month as the day on which the Vesting Commencement Date occurred, or if there is no such day in the scheduled month of vesting, then on the next subsequent calendar day. If, on any vesting date, this Vesting Schedule would result in the vesting of a fraction of a Share, such fraction shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share, and any remaining fractions of a Share that have not become vested due to the aforementioned rounding rule shall be combined with any other fractional Restricted Share Unit scheduled to vest and/or prior fractional Restricted Share Unit rollovers, and shall become vested as whole Shares on certain subsequent vesting dates, such that the Award shall be fully vested approximately four years following the Vesting Commencement Date.]2 [Subject to your Continuous Service with the Company or one of its Affiliates and the vesting conditions described in Section 3 below, 25% of the number of Restricted Share Units granted shall vest each year on the first four anniversaries of the Vesting
1 To be used for 1-year vesting
2 To be used for 4-year vesting with quarterly vesting after first year
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Commencement Date. If, on any vesting date, this Vesting Schedule would result in the vesting of a fraction of a Share, such fraction shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share, and any remaining fractions of a Share that have not become vested due to the aforementioned rounding rule shall be combined with any other fractional Restricted Share Unit scheduled to vest and/or prior fractional Restricted Share Unit rollovers, and shall become vested as whole Shares on certain subsequent vesting dates, such that the Award shall be fully vested approximately four years following the Vesting Commencement Date.]3
3.Vesting and Settlement.
(a)Subject to Sections 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) below, the Restricted Share Units will vest as provided in Section 2 above.
(b)    [In the event of your termination of Continuous Service on account of your death, 100% of the Restricted Share Units shall immediately vest .]4 [In the event of your termination of Continuous Service on account of your death, you shall be deemed to have completed an additional year of service as of the date of such termination.]5
(c)    Subject to the terms of the Seagate Technology Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan, as amended from time to time, or other similar plan (the “Severance Plan”), in the event of your termination of Continuous Service for any reason, you shall forfeit any and all Restricted Share Units that have not vested as of the date of such termination, as further described in Section 8(n) below.
(d)    The Committee may, in its sole discretion, suspend vesting of the Restricted Share Units if you are on a leave of absence to the extent permitted by applicable laws.
(e)    Upon the vesting of any Restricted Share Units, as promptly as is reasonably practicable (but in any event no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the vesting date occurs), Shares (which shall be fully paid up) shall be issued to you, and the Company shall deliver to you appropriate documentation evidencing the number of Shares issued in settlement of such vested Restricted Share Units. However, the settlement of the Restricted Share Units shall be conditioned upon your making adequate provision for Tax-Related Items, as discussed in Section 7 below.
4.Compliance with Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, unless there is an available exemption from any registration, qualification or other legal requirement applicable to the Shares, the Company shall not be required to deliver any Shares issuable upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of the Shares under any local, state, federal or foreign law or under rulings or regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, or prior to the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any local, state, federal or foreign governmental agency, which registration, qualification or approval the Company shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable. Further, you agree that the Company shall have unilateral authority to amend the Plan and this Agreement without your consent to the extent necessary to comply with securities or other laws applicable to the issuance of the Shares.
5.Shareholder Rights. You shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company in respect of the Shares subject to the Restricted Share Units unless and until such Shares have been issued by the Company to you. No adjustment will be made for
3 To be used for 4-year vesting with annual vesting
4 To be used for 1-year vesting
5 To be used for either 4-year vesting option
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a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Article 12 of the Plan.
6.Transferability. The Restricted Share Units may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by you other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.
7.Responsibility for Taxes.
(a)Regardless of any action the Company, any of its Affiliates or the Participant's employer (the “Employer”) take with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefit tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to your participation in the Plan and legally applicable or deemed applicable to you (“Tax-Related Items”), you acknowledge that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount, if any, actually withheld by the Company or the Affiliate. You further acknowledge that the Company and/or the Affiliate (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Award, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the Restricted Share Units, the issuance of Shares, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such issuance and the receipt of any dividends; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Award to reduce or eliminate your liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if you are subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, you acknowledge that the Company and/or the Affiliate may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
(b)Subject to Sections 7(c) and (d) below, your acceptance of this Agreement constitutes your instruction and authorization to your brokerage firm (or, in the absence of a designated brokerage firm, any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose) to sell on your behalf the number of whole Shares from those Shares issuable to you upon settlement of the Restricted Share Units as the Company determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy any applicable withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items. Such Shares will be sold on the day the Tax-Related Items are determined or as soon thereafter as practicable. You will be responsible for all brokers’ fees and other costs of sale, which fees and costs may be deducted from the proceeds of the foregoing sale of Shares, and you agree to indemnify and hold the Company and any brokerage firm selling such Shares harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale. To the extent the proceeds of such sale exceed your Tax-Related Items, such excess cash will be deposited into the securities account established with the brokerage firm for the settlement of your Restricted Share Units. You acknowledge that the broker or its designee is under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price, and that the proceeds of any such sale may not be sufficient to satisfy your Tax-Related Items.
(c)At any time before any taxable or tax withholding event, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that the Company or the Affiliate will satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to the Tax-Related Items by withholding Shares to be issued upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units. To the extent the Committee makes such a determination, you hereby authorize the Company to withhold Shares otherwise issuable upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units having a Fair Market Value on the date of vesting equal to the amount sufficient to satisfy the Tax-Related Items.
(d)In the event that, in the reasonable determination of the Company and/or its Affiliate, such tax withholding by the sale or withholding of Shares as described in Sections 7(b) and (c) above is problematic under applicable tax or securities law or has materially adverse
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accounting consequences, you authorize the Company and/or the Affiliate to satisfy any applicable withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items by withholding from your wages or other cash compensation paid to you by the Company and/or the Affiliate, within legal limits, or by requiring you to tender a cash payment to the Company or the Affiliate in the amount of the Tax-Related Items.
(e)The Company or the Affiliate may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering statutory or other withholding rates, including minimum or maximum rates applicable in your jurisdiction(s). In the event of over-withholding, you may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash (with no entitlement to the equivalent in Shares), or if not refunded, you may seek a refund from the local tax authorities. In the event of under-withholding, you may be required to pay any additional Tax-Related Items directly to the applicable tax authority or to the Company and/or the Affiliate. If the obligation for the Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares as described in Section 7(c) above, for tax purposes, you will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the Restricted Share Units, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items due as a result of your participation in the Plan..
(f)Finally, you agree to pay the Company or the Affiliate any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Affiliate may be required to withhold as a result of your participation in the Plan or the vesting and settlement of the Restricted Share Units that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company or the Affiliate may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares unless and until you have complied with your obligations related to the Tax-Related Items described in this Section 7.
8.Nature of the Award. In accepting the Award, you acknowledge, understand and agree that:
(a)the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature and it may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan;
(b)the Award is exceptional, voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future awards of Restricted Share Units, or benefits in lieu of Restricted Share Units, even if Restricted Share Units have been awarded repeatedly in the past;
(c)all decisions with respect to future Restricted Share Unit awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;
(d)you are voluntarily participating in the Plan;
(e)your participation in the Plan will not create a right to employment and shall not interfere with the ability of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate your Continuous Service at any time;
(f)the Award and any Shares subject to the Award, and the income from and value of the same, are extraordinary items that do not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Company or any Affiliate, and which is outside the scope of your employment or service contract, or consulting arrangement, if any;
(g)the Award and any Shares subject to the Award, and the income from and value of the same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;
(h)the Award and any Shares subject to the Award are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purposes, including, but not limited to, calculating any
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severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, holiday pay, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Company or any Affiliate;
(i) the Award will not be interpreted to form or amend an employment or service contract or relationship with the Company or any Affiliate;
(j)the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;
(k)no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Award or the recoupment of any Shares acquired under the Plan resulting from (a) termination of your Continuous Service (regardless of the reason for the termination and whether or not the termination is in breach of any applicable law in the country where you reside, even if such law is otherwise applicable to your employment benefits, and whether or not such termination is later found to be invalid), and/or (b) the application of any recoupment policy as described in Section 11.5 of the Plan or any recovery or clawback policy otherwise required by law;
(l) neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of this Award or of any amounts due to you pursuant to the issuance of Shares upon settlement of this Award or the subsequent sale of such Shares;
(m) unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the Award and the Shares subject to the Award, and the income and value of the same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service you may provide as a director of an Affiliate of the Company; and
(n)for purposes of the Award, your Continuous Service will be considered terminated as of the date you are no longer actively employed by and/or providing services to the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable; your right, if any, to vest in the Restricted Share Units under the Plan after termination of Continuous Service (regardless of whether the termination is in breach of any applicable laws in the country where you reside or providing services, even if such law is otherwise applicable to your employment benefits, and whether or not such termination is later found to be invalid) will be measured by the date you cease to be actively employed and/or actively providing services and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under any employment law in the country where you reside, even if such law is otherwise applicable to your employment benefits (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period); the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine when you are no longer actively employed and/or providing services for purposes of the Award (including whether you may still be considered actively employed and/or providing services while on a leave of absence).
9.No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company and its Affiliates are not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding your participation in the Plan, or your acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares. You should consult with your own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding your participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.
10.Data Privacy.
(a)You are hereby notified of the collection, use and transfer outside of the European Economic Area, in electronic or other form, of your Data (defined below) by and among, as applicable, the Company and certain of its Affiliates for the exclusive and
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legitimate purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan.
(b)You understand that the Company and its Affiliates hold certain personal information about you, including, but not limited to, your name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance, passport or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor (“Data”), for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.
(c)You understand that providing the Company with this Data is necessary for the performance of this Agreement and that your refusal to provide the Data would make it impossible for the Company to perform its contractual obligations and may affect your ability to participate in the Plan. Your Data shall be accessible within the Company only by the persons specifically charged with Data processing operations and by the persons that need to access the Data because of their duties and position in relation to the performance of this Agreement.
(d)The Company will use your Data only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your participation in the Plan or as required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, including under tax and securities laws. When the Company no longer needs your Data, it will remove it from its systems. If the Company keeps Data longer, it would be to satisfy legal or regulatory obligations and the Company’s legal basis would be relevant laws or regulations. You have a number of rights under data privacy laws in your country. Depending on where you are based, your rights may include the right to (i) request access or copies of Data the Company processes, (ii) rectification of incorrect Data, (iii) deletion of Data, (iv) restrictions on processing, (v) portability of Data, (vi) to lodge complaints with competent authorities in your country, and/or (vii) a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of your Data. To receive clarification regarding your rights or to exercise your rights please contact the Company at Attn: Data Protection Officer, data.protection.officer@seagate.com.
(e)Further, you understand that the Company will transfer Data to E*TRADE Corporate Financial Services, Inc. and E*TRADE Securities LLC (collectively, “E*TRADE”), and/or such other third parties as may be selected by the Company, which are assisting the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The Company may select a different service provider or additional service providers and share Data with such other provider(s) serving in a similar manner. You may be asked to agree on separate terms and data processing practices with the service provider, with such agreement being a condition of the ability to participate in the Plan.
(f)E*TRADE is based in the United States. Your country or jurisdiction may have different data privacy laws and protections than the United States. If you are outside of the United States, you should note that your country has enacted data privacy laws that are different from the United States. By participating in the Plan, you agree to the transfer of your Data to E*TRADE for the exclusive purpose of administering your participation in the Plan. The Company's legal basis, where required, for the transfer of Data to E*TRADE is your consent.
(g)Finally, you may choose to opt out of allowing the Company to share your Data with E*TRADE and others as described above, although execution of such choice may mean the Company cannot grant awards under the Plan to you. For questions about this choice or to make this choice, you should contact Equity Administration at stockadmin@seagate.com.
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11.Electronic Delivery and Participation. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means or request that you consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through an online or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or any third party designated by the Company.
12.Notices. Any notices provided for in your Award or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. Any such notices from the Company to you may also be delivered to you through the Company’s electronic mail system (during your Continuous Service) or at the last email address you provided to the Company (after termination of your Continuous Service).
13.Choice of Law and Venue. The Award is governed by, and subject to, the laws of the State of California, without regard to such state’s conflicts of law rules, as provided in the Plan. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this Award, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Alameda County, California, or the federal courts for the United States for the Northern District of California, and no other courts, where this Award is made and/or to be performed.
14.Country-Specific Provisions. The Award shall be subject to any special provisions set forth in Exhibit A for your country, if any. If you relocate to one of the countries included in Exhibit A during the life of the Award or while holding Shares acquired upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units, the special provisions for such country shall apply to you, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such provisions is necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable laws with regard to the acquisition, issuance or sale of the Shares or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Exhibit A constitutes part of this Agreement.
15.Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on your participation in the Plan, the Award and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable laws with regard to the acquisition, issuance or sale of the Shares or facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require you to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.
16.Insider Trading Restrictions/Market Abuse Laws. You acknowledge that, depending on your or your broker’s country of residence or where the Shares are listed, you may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws, which may affect your ability to accept, acquire, sell or otherwise dispose of Shares or rights to Shares (e.g., Restricted Share Units) or rights linked to the value of the Shares under the Plan during such times as you are considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws or regulations in the applicable jurisdictions or your country). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders you placed before you possessed inside information. Furthermore, you could be prohibited from (i) disclosing the inside information to any third party (other than on a “need to know” basis) and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them otherwise to buy or sell securities. Third parties include fellow employees. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company securities trading policy. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and are instructed to speak with your personal legal advisor on this matter.
17.Foreign Asset/Account Reporting; Exchange Controls and Tax Reporting. Without limitation to any specific information stated in Exhibit A, you acknowledge that your
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country may have certain foreign asset and/or account reporting requirements, exchange controls, tax reporting or other requirements which may affect your ability to purchase or hold Shares subject to the Plan or cash received from participating in the Plan (including from any dividends received or sale proceeds arising from the sale of Shares) in a brokerage or bank account outside your country. You may be required to report such accounts, assets or transactions to the tax or other authorities in your country. You also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of your participation in the Plan to your country through a designated bank or broker and/or within a certain time after receipt. You further acknowledge that it is your responsibility for ensuring compliance with any applicable regulations, and that you should consult your personal legal advisor for any details.
18.Waiver. You acknowledge that a waiver by the Company of breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by you or any other participant.
19.Recoupment.
(a)Compensation Recovery for Fraud and Misconduct Policy. You hereby acknowledge and agree that to the extent you are or become subject to the Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company Compensation Recovery for Fraud and Misconduct Policy, as amended from time to time (the “Compensation Recovery Policy”), the terms and conditions of the Policy are hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement and shall apply to (a) the Award, (b) each outstanding share award granted or issued to you (pursuant to which Shares may be issued or payments deriving their value from the Shares may be made), and (c) the gain received in connection with the vesting, exercise and/or issuance of any share award (i.e., the market value of the Shares on the vesting, exercise and/or issuance date, as applicable, less (i) any price paid for the Shares and (ii) any Tax-Related Items withheld from or paid by you in connection with the vesting, exercise and/or issuance of the share award), in each case without regard to whether such award was granted or issued under a share plan of the Company, a predecessor to the Company or a company acquired by the Company or outside a share plan; provided, however, that such award was granted or such gain was received within the three years prior to the Date of Grant. A copy of the current version of the Compensation Recovery Policy is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B.
(b)Other Required Recoupments. Without derogating from the terms of Section 19(a) hereof, as an additional condition of receiving the Award, you agree that the Award and any benefits or proceeds you may receive hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture and/or repayment to the Company to the extent required (i) under the terms of any other recoupment or “clawback” policy adopted by the Company, as may be amended from time to time (and such requirements shall be deemed incorporated into this Agreement without your consent), or (ii) to comply with any requirements imposed under applicable laws and/or the rules and regulations of the securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Further, if you receive any amount in excess of what you should have received under the terms of the Award for any reason (including without limitation by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or administrative error), all as determined by the Committee, then you shall be required to promptly repay any such excess amount to the Company.
(c)Execution of Recoupment. You hereby irrevocably appoint the Company as the your true and lawful attorney for the purpose of undertaking all actions and executing all deeds and documentation that may be required to be executed to enforce the recovery of compensation pursuant to the Compensation Recovery Policy under Section 19(a) hereof or pursuant to any other required recoupment under Section 19(b).
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20.Amendments. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of the Award; provided, however, that the rights under any Award shall not be materially impaired by any such amendment unless (a) the Company requests your consent and (b) you consent in writing; provided, however, that the Company may amend the terms of the Award without your consent pursuant to Section 15 hereof, if it determines that such amendment is necessary for legal reasons.
21.Language. You acknowledge that you are proficient in the English language, or have consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow you to understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If you have received this Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.
22.Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
23.Acknowledgements. By indicating acceptance of the Award through the Company’s online acceptance procedure, you acknowledge that: (a) you have received, and understand and agree to the terms of, this Agreement and the Plan (including any exhibits to each document), (b) you accept the Award on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan (including any exhibits to each document), and (c) this Agreement and the Plan (including any exhibits to each document) set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the rights to acquire the Shares subject to this Award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements with respect thereto.
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EXHIBIT 10.3

Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company
2022 Equity Incentive Plan
Executive Performance Share Unit Agreement

1.Grant of Performance Share Units. Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (the “Company”), hereby grants to you (the Participant named in Section 2 below) the number of Performance Share Units set forth in Section 2 below subject to the terms and conditions of the Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time and including any exhibits thereto (the “Plan”) and this Performance Share Unit Agreement, including any exhibits hereto (the “Agreement”) (collectively, the “Award”). In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, any capitalized term used in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan.
2.Award Terms. Subject to further detail included in this Agreement, the key terms related to the Award are as follows:
(a)Participant:
(b)Global ID Number:
(c)Date of Grant:
(d)Grant Number:
(e)Vesting Commencement Date:
(f)Number of Performance Share Units:
(g)Vesting Schedule. As set forth in Schedule A attached hereto.
3.Vesting and Settlement.
(a)Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Performance Share Units will vest as provided in Schedule A attached hereto
(b)Upon the vesting of any Performance Share Units, as promptly as is reasonably practicable (but in any event no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year of vesting), Shares (which shall be fully paid up) shall be issued to you, and the Company shall deliver to you appropriate documentation evidencing the number of Shares issued in settlement of such vested Performance Share Units. However, the settlement of the Performance Share Units shall be conditioned upon your making adequate provision for Tax-Related Items, as discussed in Section 7 below.
4.Compliance with Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, unless there is an available exemption from any registration, qualification or other legal requirement applicable to the Shares, the Company shall not be required to deliver any Shares issuable upon vesting of the Performance Share Units prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of the Shares under any local, state, federal or foreign law or under rulings or regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, or prior to the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any local, state, federal or foreign governmental agency, which registration, qualification or approval the Company shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable. Further, you agree that the Company shall have unilateral authority to amend the Plan and this Agreement without your consent to the extent necessary to comply with securities or other laws applicable to the issuance of the Shares.

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5.Shareholder Rights. You shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company in respect of the Shares subject to the Performance Share Units unless and until such Shares have been issued by the Company to you. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Article 12 of the Plan.
6.Transferability. The Performance Share Units may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by you other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.
7.Responsibility for Taxes.
(a)Regardless of any action the Company, any of its Affiliates or the Participant’s employer (the “Employer”) take with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefit tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to your participation in the Plan and legally applicable or deemed applicable to you (“Tax-Related Items”), you acknowledge that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount, if any, actually withheld by the Company or the Affiliate, if any. You further acknowledge that the Company and/or the Affiliate (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Award, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the Performance Share Units, the issuance of Shares, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such issuance and the receipt of any dividends; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Award to reduce or eliminate your liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if you are subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, you acknowledge that the Company and/or the Affiliate may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
(b)Subject to Sections 7(c) and (d) below, your acceptance of this Agreement constitutes your instruction and authorization to your brokerage firm (or, in the absence of a designated brokerage firm, any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose) to sell on your behalf the number of whole Shares from those Shares issuable to you upon settlement of the Performance Share Units as the Company determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy any applicable withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items. Such Shares will be sold on the day the Tax-Related Items are determined or as soon thereafter as practicable. You will be responsible for all brokers’ fees and other costs of sale, which fees and costs may be deducted from the proceeds of the foregoing sale of Shares, and you agree to indemnify and hold the Company and any brokerage firm selling such Shares harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale. To the extent the proceeds of such sale exceed your Tax-Related Items, such excess cash will be deposited into the securities account established with the brokerage firm for the settlement of your Performance Share Units. You acknowledge that the broker or its designee is under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price, and that the proceeds of any such sale may not be sufficient to satisfy your Tax-Related Items.
(c)At any time before any taxable or tax withholding event, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that the Company or the Affiliate will satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to the Tax-Related Items by withholding Shares to be issued upon vesting of the Performance Share Units. To the extent the Committee makes such a determination, you hereby authorize the Company to withhold Shares otherwise issuable upon vesting of the Performance Share Units having a Fair Market Value on the date of vesting equal to the amount sufficient to satisfy the Tax-Related Items.

(d)In the event that, in the reasonable determination of the Company and/or its Affiliate, such tax withholding by the sale or withholding of Shares as described in Sections 7(b) and (c) above is problematic under applicable tax or securities law or has materially adverse accounting consequences, you authorize the Company and/or the Affiliate to satisfy any applicable withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items by withholding from your wages or other cash compensation paid to you by the Company and/or the Affiliate, within

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legal limits, or by requiring you to tender a cash payment to the Company or the Affiliate in the amount of the Tax-Related Items.

(e)The Company or the Affiliate may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering statutory or other withholding rates, including minimum or maximum rates applicable in your jurisdiction(s). In the event of over-withholding, you may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash (with no entitlement to the equivalent in Shares) of if not refunded, you may seek a refund from the local tax authorities. In the event of under-withholding, you may be required to pay any additional Tax-Related Items directly to the applicable tax authority or to the Company and/or the Affiliate. If the obligation for the Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares as described in Section 7(c) above, for tax purposes, you will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the Performance Share Units, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items due as a result of your participation in the Plan.
(f)Finally, you agree to pay the Company or the Affiliate any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Affiliate may be required to withhold as a result of your participation in the Plan or the vesting and settlement of the Performance Share Units that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company or the Affiliate may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares unless and until you have complied with your obligations related to the Tax-Related Items described in this Section 7.
8.Nature of the Award. In accepting the Award, you acknowledge, understand and agree that:
(a)the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature and it may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan;
(b)the Award is exceptional, voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future awards of Performance Share Units, or benefits in lieu of Performance Share Units, even if Performance Share Units have been awarded repeatedly in the past;
(c)all decisions with respect to future Performance Share Unit awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;
(d)you are voluntarily participating in the Plan;
(e)your participation in the Plan will not create a right to employment and shall not interfere with the ability of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate your Continuous Service at any time;
(f)the Award and any Shares subject to the Award, and the income from and value of the same, are extraordinary items that do not constitute compensation of any kind for services of any kind rendered to the Company or any Affiliate, and which is outside the scope of your employment or service contract or consulting arrangement, if any;
(g)the Award and any Shares subject to the Award, and the income from and value of the same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;
(h)the Award and any Shares subject to the Award are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purposes, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, holiday pay, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Company, or any Affiliate;
(i)the Award will not be interpreted to form or amend an employment or service contract or relationship with the Company or any Affiliate;

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(j)the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty;
(k)no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Award or the recoupment of any Shares acquired under the Plan resulting from (a) termination of your Continuous Service (regardless of the reason for the termination and whether or not the termination is in breach of any applicable law in the country where you reside, even if such law is otherwise applicable to your employment benefits, and whether or not such termination is later found to be invalid), and/or (b) the application of any recoupment policy as described in Section 11.5 of the Plan or any recovery or clawback policy otherwise required by law;
(l)neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of this Award or of any amounts due to you pursuant to the issuance of Shares upon settlement of this Award or the subsequent sale of such Shares;
(m) unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the Award and the Shares subject to the Award, and the income and value of the same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service you may provide as a director of an Affiliate of the Company; and
(n)for purposes of the Award, your Continuous Service will be considered terminated as of the date you are no longer actively employed by and/or providing services to the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable; your right, if any, to vest in the Performance Share Units under the Plan after termination of Continuous Service (regardless of whether the termination is in breach of any applicable laws in the country where you reside or providing services, even if such law is otherwise applicable to your employment benefits, and whether or not such termination is later found to be invalid) will be measured by the date you cease to be actively employed and/or actively providing services and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under any employment law in the country where you reside, even if such law is otherwise applicable to your employment benefits (e.g., active employment would not include a period of “garden leave” or similar period); the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine when you are no longer actively employed and/or providing services for purposes of the Award (including whether you may still be considered actively employed and/or providing services while on a leave of absence).
9.No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company and its Affiliates are not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding your participation in the Plan, or your acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares. You should consult with your own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding your participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.
10.Data Privacy.
(a)You are hereby notified of the collection, use and transfer outside of the European Economic Area, in electronic or other form, of your Data (defined below) by and among, as applicable, the Company and certain of its Affiliates for the exclusive and legitimate purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan.

(b)You understand that the Company and its Affiliates hold certain personal information about you, including, but not limited to, your name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance, passport or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor (“Data”), for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.

(c)You understand that providing the Company with this Data is necessary for the performance of this Agreement and that your refusal to provide the Data would make it impossible for the Company to perform its contractual obligations and may affect your ability to participate in the Plan. Your

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Data shall be accessible within the Company only by the persons specifically charged with Data processing operations and by the persons that need to access the Data because of their duties and position in relation to the performance of this Agreement.

(d)The Company will use your Data only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your participation in the Plan or as required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, including under tax and securities laws. When the Company no longer needs your Data, it will remove it from its systems. If the Company keeps Data longer, it would be to satisfy legal or regulatory obligations and the Company’s legal basis would be relevant laws or regulations. You have a number of rights under data privacy laws in your country. Depending on where you are based, your rights may include the right to (i) request access or copies of Data the Company processes, (ii) rectification of incorrect Data, (iii) deletion of Data, (iv) restrictions on processing, (v) portability of Data, (vi) to lodge complaints with competent authorities in your country, and/or (vii) a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of your Data. To receive clarification regarding your rights or to exercise your rights please contact the Company at Attn: Data Protection Officer, data.protection.officer@seagate.com.

(e)Further, you understand that the Company will transfer Data to E*TRADE Corporate Financial Services, Inc. and E*TRADE Securities LLC (collectively, “E*TRADE”), and/or such other third parties as may be selected by the Company, which are assisting the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The Company may select a different service provider or additional service providers and share Data with such other provider(s) serving in a similar manner. You may be asked to agree on separate terms and data processing practices with the service provider, with such agreement being a condition of the ability to participate in the Plan.

(f)E*TRADE is based in the United States. Your country or jurisdiction may have different data privacy laws and protections than the United States. If you are outside of the United States, you should note that your country has enacted data privacy laws that are different from the United States. By participating in the Plan, you agree to the transfer of your Data to E*TRADE for the exclusive purpose of administering your participation in the Plan. The Company's legal basis, where required, for the transfer of Data to E*TRADE is your consent.

(g) Finally, you may choose to opt out of allowing the Company to share your Data with E*TRADE and others as described above, although execution of such choice may mean the Company cannot grant awards under the Plan to you. For questions about this choice or to make this choice, you should contact Equity Administration at stockadmin@seagate.com.
11.Electronic Delivery and Participation. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means or request that you consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through an online or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or any third party designated by the Company.
12.Notices. Any notices provided for in your Award or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. Any such notices from the Company to you may also be delivered to you through the Company’s electronic mail system (during your Continuous Service) or at the last email address you provided to the Company (after termination of your Continuous Service).
13.Choice of Law and Venue. The Award is governed by, and subject to, the laws of the State of California, without regard to such state’s conflicts of law rules, as provided in the Plan. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this Award, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Alameda County, California, or the federal courts for the United

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States for the Northern District of California, and no other courts, where this Award is made and/or to be performed.
14.Country-Specific Provisions. The Award shall be subject to any special provisions set forth in Exhibit A for your country, if any. If you relocate to one of the countries included in Exhibit A during the life of the Award or while holding Shares acquired upon vesting of the Performance Share Units, the special provisions for such country shall apply to you, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such provisions is necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable laws with regard to the acquisition, issuance or sale of the Shares or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Exhibit A constitutes part of this Agreement.
15.Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Award and the Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable laws with regard to the acquisition, issuance or sale of the Shares or facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require you to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.
16.Insider Trading Restrictions/Market Abuse Laws. You acknowledge that, depending on your or your broker’s country of residence or where the Shares are listed, you may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws, which may affect your ability to accept, acquire, sell, or otherwise dispose of Shares or rights to Shares (e.g., Awards) or rights linked to the value of the Shares under the Plan during such times as you are considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws or regulations in the applicable jurisdictions or your country). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders you placed before you possessed inside information. Furthermore, you could be prohibited from (i) disclosing the inside information to any third party (other than on a “need to know” basis) and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them otherwise to buy or sell securities. Third parties include fellow employees. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company securities trading policy. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and are instructed to speak with your personal legal advisor on this matter.
17.Foreign Asset/Account Reporting; Exchange Controls and Tax Reporting. Without limitation to any specific information stated in Exhibit A, you acknowledge that your country may have certain foreign asset and/or account reporting requirements, exchange controls, tax reporting or other requirements which may affect your ability to purchase or hold Shares subject to the Plan or cash received from participating in the Plan (including from any dividends received or sale proceeds arising from the sale of Shares) in a brokerage or bank account outside your country. You may be required to report such accounts, assets or transactions to the tax or other authorities in your country. You also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of your participation in the Plan to your country through a designated bank or broker and/or within a certain time after receipt. You further acknowledge that it is your responsibility for ensuring compliance with any applicable regulations, and that you should consult your personal legal advisor for any details.
18.Waiver. You acknowledge that a waiver by the Company of breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by you or any other participant.
19.Recoupment.
(a) Compensation Recovery for Fraud and Misconduct Policy. You hereby acknowledge and agree that to the extent you are or become subject to the Seagate Technology Holdings public limited company Compensation Recovery for Fraud and Misconduct Policy, as amended from time to time (the “Compensation Recovery Policy”), the terms and conditions of the Policy are hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement and shall apply to (a) the Award, (b) each outstanding share award granted or issued to you (pursuant to which Shares may be issued or payments deriving their value from the Shares may be made), and (c) the gain received in connection with the vesting, exercise and/or issuance of any share award (i.e., the market value of the

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Shares on the vesting, exercise and/or issuance date, as applicable, less (i) any price paid for the Shares and (ii) any Tax-Related Items withheld from or paid by you in connection with the vesting, exercise and/or issuance of the share award), in each case without regard to whether such award was granted or issued under a share plan of the Company, a predecessor to the Company or a company acquired by the Company or outside a share plan; provided, however, that such award was granted or such gain was received within the three years prior to the Date of Grant. A copy of the current version of the Compensation Recovery Policy is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B.
(b)Other Required Recoupments. Without derogating from the terms of Section 19(a) hereof, as an additional condition of receiving the Award, you agree that the Award and any benefits or proceeds you may receive hereunder shall be subject to forfeiture and/or repayment to the Company to the extent required (i) under the terms of any other recoupment or “clawback” policy adopted by the Company, as may be amended from time to time (and such requirements shall be deemed incorporated into this Agreement without your consent), or (ii) to comply with any requirements imposed under applicable laws and/or the rules and regulations of the securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Further, if you receive any amount in excess of what you should have received under the terms of the Award for any reason (including without limitation by reason of a financial restatement, mistake in calculations or administrative error), all as determined by the Committee, then you shall be required to promptly repay any such excess amount to the Company.
(c)Execution of Recoupment. You hereby irrevocably appoint the Company as your true and lawful attorney for the purpose of undertaking all actions and executing all deeds and documentation that may be required to be executed to enforce the recovery of compensation pursuant to the Compensation Recovery Policy under Section 19(a) hereof or pursuant to any other required recoupment under Section 19(b).
20.Amendments. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of the Award; provided, however, that the rights under any Award shall not be materially impaired by any such amendment unless (a) the Company requests your consent and (b) you consent in writing; provided, however, that the Company may amend the terms of the Award without your consent pursuant to Section 15 hereof, if it determines that such amendment is necessary for legal reasons.
21.Language. You acknowledge that you are proficient in the English language, or have consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow you to understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If you have received this Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.
22.Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.
23.Acknowledgements. By indicating acceptance of the Award through the Company’s online acceptance procedure, you acknowledge that: (a) you have received, and understand and agree to the terms of, this Agreement and the Plan (including any exhibits to each document), (b) you accept the Award on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan (including any exhibits to each document), and (c) this Agreement and the Plan (including any exhibits to each document) set forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the rights to acquire the Shares subject to this Award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements with respect thereto.

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    EXHIBIT 10.4

SIXTH AMENDMENT AND JOINDER AGREEMENT
THIS SIXTH AMENDMENT AND JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of August 18, 2022 (this “Amendment”), to the Existing Credit Agreement referred to below, is among SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (“STX”), SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Borrower”), THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), the Existing Lenders and the New Lenders (such capitalized terms, and other terms used in this preamble or the recitals, to have the meaning provided in Article I) party hereto.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2019 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement,” and as further amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”), among STX (as successor to Seagate Technology Unlimited Company, an unlimited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland), the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent, such Lenders have agreed to make Loans and have made Loans, and the Issuing Banks have agreed to issue (and have issued) Letters of Credit to the Borrower;
WHEREAS, STX and the Borrower have requested, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, that the Existing Credit Agreement be amended to, among other things, make new Term Loans; and
WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent, the Existing Lenders and the New Lenders have agreed to such and other amendments on the terms and conditions contained in this Amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. Certain Definitions. The following terms (whether or not underscored) when used in this Amendment shall have the following meanings:
“Amendment” is defined in the preamble.
“Credit Agreement” is defined in the first recital
“Existing Credit Agreement” is defined in the first recital.
“Existing Lenders” means the Lenders under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement.
“New Lender” means each Person that has a Commitment under the Credit Agreement that was not a Lender under the Existing Credit Agreement.
“Sixth Amendment Effective Date” is defined in Section 3.1.
4152-3290-5274.5

SECTION 1.2. Credit Agreement Defined Terms. Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used in this Amendment shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS OF THE EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT, ETC.
SECTION 2.1. Amendments to Existing Credit Agreement. The Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended to delete the struck text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) and to add the underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: underlined text) as set forth in the Credit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.
SECTION 2.2. Effect on Commitments and Outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit. Unless otherwise provided herein, (i) all Commitments in effect under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date shall continue in effect under the Credit Agreement and (ii) all Loans and Letters of Credit (if any) outstanding and issued under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date shall continue to be outstanding and issued under the Credit Agreement, and on and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date the terms of the Credit Agreement shall govern the rights and obligations of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent with respect thereto.
SECTION 2.3. Commitments. Each Commitment shall have all the terms and conditions of, and shall be characterized as, a Commitment under the Credit Agreement and shall become, or continue to be (as applicable), effective on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date.
SECTION 2.4. Joinder. As of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date each New Lender shall become, and shall be deemed for all purposes to be, a Lender under the Credit Agreement with the same force and effect, and subject to the same agreements, indemnities and obligations, as if it had been an original Lender to the Existing Credit Agreement (except to the extent modified by the Credit Agreement).
SECTION 2.5. Revised Schedule 2.01, Amended and New Exhibits D, F and I-3. The Administrative Agent shall prepare a revised Schedule 2.01 to the Existing Credit Agreement, which shall be included as Schedule 2.01 to the Credit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B, with respect to and reflecting the Term Loan Commitments, as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date after giving effect to this Amendment. In addition, Exhibit D (Form of Borrowing Request) and Exhibit F (Form of Interest Election Request) are amended in their entirety, and Exhibit I-3 (Form of Term Note A3) shall be included as a new exhibit to the Credit Agreement, set forth (respectively) as Exhibit C, Exhibit D and Exhibit E to this Amendment.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS
SECTION 3.1. This Amendment shall become effective upon the date (the “Sixth Amendment Effective Date”) when each of the conditions set forth in this Article shall have been satisfied. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Article, the Administrative Agent and each Lender that has signed this Amendment shall be deemed to have waived, consented to, approved, accepted and be satisfied with each document or other matter that must be “in form and substance satisfactory” to the Administrative Agent or a Lender or otherwise required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or a Lender.
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SECTION 3.1.1. Execution of Counterparts. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of this Amendment, duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer or representative of STX and of the Borrower, each Lender named on a signature page hereto, and the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 3.1.2. Affirmation. The Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of an affirmation, dated as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer of each Guarantor.
SECTION 3.1.3. Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Sixth Amendment Effective Date) of (i) Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., New York counsel for STX and certain other Loan Parties, (ii) Arthur Cox LLP, Irish counsel to STX and Seagate UC, (iii) Chief Legal Officer of STX, and (iv) Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, Cayman Islands counsel for the Borrower and certain other Loan Parties, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 3.1.4. Resolutions, etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization or incorporation, existence and good standing of each Loan Party, the authorization of the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by each Loan Party and any other legal matters relating to each Loan Party or the Loan Documents, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
SECTION 3.1.5. Notes. The Administrative Agent shall have received, for the account of each Lender that has requested a Term Note A-3 at least three Business Days prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, each such Note duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer of the Borrower.
SECTION 3.1.6. Compliance Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a compliance certificate for the most recently completed full twelve-month period ending as of April 1, 2022, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, duly executed (and with all schedules thereto duly completed) and delivered by the chief financial or accounting authorized officer of the Borrower.
SECTION 3.1.7. No Material Adverse Change. The Lenders shall be satisfied that there shall have been no material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or operations of STX and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since July 2, 2021.
SECTION 3.1.8. PATRIOT Act. Upon the request of any Lender, made at least ten days prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower shall provide such information so requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and “anti-money laundering” rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, in each case at least five days prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date.
SECTION 3.1.9. Fees and Expenses. The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, including in each case, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower under any Loan Document.
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ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.1. Representations and Warranties. To induce the Existing Lenders, the New Lenders, and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Amendment, STX and the Borrower represent and warrant to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent that as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date:
(a) both before and after giving effect to this Amendment, all of the statements set forth in clause (a) of Section 4.02 of the Existing Credit Agreement are true and correct;
(b) both before and after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default has occurred and is continuing, or will result therefrom;
(c) this Amendment constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of STX and the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law in accordance with its terms; and
(d) no authorizations, consents, or approvals by any Person are required for the execution and delivery by, or for the effectiveness or enforceability against, any Loan Party of this Amendment except such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect.
SECTION 4.2. Effect of Amendment. The parties hereto agree as follows:
(a) This Amendment shall not constitute an amendment or waiver of or consent to any provision of the Existing Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document not expressly referred to herein and shall not be construed as an amendment, waiver or consent to any action on the part of the Borrower that would require an amendment, waiver or consent of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any of the Loan Documents except as expressly stated herein. Except as expressly amended hereby, the provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and shall continue to be, and shall remain, in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms. It is the intent of the parties hereto, and the parties hereto agree, that this Amendment shall not constitute a novation of the Existing Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any of the rights, obligations or liabilities thereunder.
(b) On and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, each reference in the Existing Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” “herein,” or words of like import, and each reference to the Existing Credit Agreement in any other Loan Document shall be deemed a reference to the Existing Credit Agreement as amended hereby. This Amendment, executed pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement, shall constitute a “Loan Document” for all purposes of the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and shall be construed, administered and applied in accordance with all of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 4.3. Fees and Expenses. The Borrower agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent for its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses arising in
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connection with this Amendment, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 4.4. Successors and Assigns. This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 4.5. New Lender Representations, Acknowledgments. Each New Lender agrees to become a Lender under the Loan Documents, and
(a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Amendment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be Lender under the Credit Agreement, (iii) from and after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of its Commitment and Loans owing to it , shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to enter into this Amendment and become obligated for its Commitment, and is experienced in providing its commitments to make loans, and enter into credit documents, similar to the Loans and the Loan Documents, and (v) it has received a copy of the Existing Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents requested by it, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the financial statements delivered pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Amendment and provide its Commitment, and it has not relied upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender in making such decision to enter into this Amendment and provide its Commitment; and
(b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
SECTION 4.6. Headings. The headings of this Amendment are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
SECTION 4.7. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Amendment on any number of separate counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same document. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by electronic signature, pdf, facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Amendment.
SECTION 4.8. Waiver of Prepayment Notice. Each of the parties hereto waive all requirements under each Loan Document that the Borrower deliver any notice of repayment or prepayment of any Term Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement, including any notice requiring a minimum specified number of days prior to such repayment or prepayment.
SECTION 4.9. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. STX AND THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE
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EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, TO THE SAME EXTENT SET FORTH IN SECTION 9.09(b) OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.
SECTION 4.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AMENDMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to the Existing Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY


By: /s/ Walter Chang

Name: Walter Chang
Title: Treasurer, Authorized Signatory



4152-3290-5274.5


SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN


By: /s/ Walter Chang

Name: Walter Chang
Title: Treasurer, Authorized Signatory

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THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, in its capacity
as the Administrative Agent and an Existing
Lender


By: /s/ Khrystyna Manko

Name: Khrystyna Manko
Title: Director

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BANK OF AMERICA NA., as an Existing
Lender


By: /s/ Herman Chang

Name: Herman Chang
Title: Vice President

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BNP PARIBAS, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Brendan Heneghan

Name: Brendan Heneghan
Title: Director


By: /s/ Valentin Detry

Name: Valentin Detry
Title: Vice President

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MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A., as an
Existing Lender


By: /s/ Philip Magdaleno

Name: Philip Magdaleno
Title: Authorized signatory

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MUFG BANK LTD., as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Matthew Antioco

Name: Matthew Antioco
Title: Director

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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Lacy Houstoun

Name: Lacy Houstoun
Title: Managing Director

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DBS BANK LTD., as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Kate Khoo

Name: Kate Khoo
Title: Vice President
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CITIBANK, N.A., as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Carmen-Christina Kelleher

Name: Carmen-Christina Kelleher
Title: Vice President

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INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK
OF CHINA LIMITED, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Tony Huang

Name: Tony Huang
Title: Director


By: /s/ Yuanyuan Peng

Name: Yuanyuan Peng
Title: Executive Director

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SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING
CORPORATION, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Irlen Mak

Name: Irlen Mak
Title: Director

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U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as an
Existing Lender


By: /s/ Alexander Wilson

Name: Alexander Wilson
Title: Assistant Vice President

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OVERSEA-CHINESE BANKING
CORPORATION, LIMITED, LOS ANGELES
AGENCY, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Charles Ong

Name: Charles Ong
Title: General Manager

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BANK OF TAIWAN, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Ti Kang Wang

Name: Ti Kang Wang
Title: SVP & GM

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CHANG HWA COMMERICAL BANK, LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Jerry C.S. Liu

Name: Jerry C.S. Liu
Title: VP & GM

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HUA NAN COMMERCIAL BANK, LTD., LOS ANGELES BRANCH, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Chris Lee

Name: Chris Lee
Title: Deputy General Manager

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MEGA INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK, LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ TSUNG-YAO TSAI

Name: TSUNG-YAO TSAI
Title: AVP

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BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Sean Duggan

Name: Sean Duggan
Title: Director
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CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Nimal Bivek

Name: Nimal Bivek
Title: Duly Authorized Signatory
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STATE BANK OF INDIA, LOS ANGELES AGENCY, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Himanshu

Name: Himanshu
Title: Vice President (syndications)

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CHINA CITIC BANK INTERNATIONAL
LIMITED, as an Existing Lender


By: /s/ Mr. Qing Hong

Name: Mr. Qing Hong
Title: General Manager & Branch Manager
New York Branch

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KEY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a New Lender


By: /s/ Allyn A. Coskun

Name: Allyn A. Coskun
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
(to Sixth Amendment)
CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of February 20, 2019,

among

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY,

SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN,
as the Borrower,

The Lenders Party Hereto,
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
as Administrative Agent

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY BOOKRUNNERS:
The Bank of Nova Scotia, BofA Securities, Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., MUFG Bank, Ltd. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

TERM LOAN A1 / TERM LOAN A2 BOOKRUNNERS:

The Bank of Nova Scotia, BofA Securities, Inc., MUFG Bank, Ltd., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, DBS Bank LTD., Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
TERM LOAN A3 BOOKRUNNERS:

The Bank of Nova Scotia, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, New York Branch, DBS Bank LTD., KeyBank National Association, MUFG Bank, Ltd., Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited and Bank of America, N.A.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
 ARTICLE I
Definitions1
SECTION 1.01 Defined Terms1
SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings
41
SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally
42
SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP
42
SECTION 1.05 Exchange Rates
43
SECTION 1.06 Divisions
43
ARTICLE II
The Credits
43
SECTION 2.01 Commitments
43
SECTION 2.02 Loans and Borrowings
44
SECTION 2.03 Requests for Borrowings
45
SECTION 2.04 Swingline Loans
45
SECTION 2.05 Letters of Credit
47
SECTION 2.06 Funding of Borrowings
53
SECTION 2.07 Interest Elections
54
SECTION 2.08 Termination and Reduction of Commitments
55
SECTION 2.09 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt
56
SECTION 2.10 Prepayment and Repayment of Loans
57
SECTION 2.11 Fees
59
SECTION 2.12 Interest
60
SECTION 2.13 Inability to Determine Rates
61
SECTION 2.14 Increased Costs61
SECTION 2.15 Break Funding Payments
63
SECTION 2.16 Taxes
63
SECTION 2.17 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs
65
SECTION 2.18 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders
67
SECTION 2.19 Change in Law
68
SECTION 2.20 [RESERVED]
69
SECTION 2.21 Incremental Loans
69
SECTION 2.22 Defaulting Lenders
69





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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
SECTION 2.23 Maturity Date Extension
72
SECTION 2.24 Benchmark Replacement Setting
72
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
74
SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers74
SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability74
SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts75
SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change75
SECTION 3.05 Properties75
SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters76
SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements76
SECTION 3.08 Investment Company Status76
SECTION 3.09 Taxes77
SECTION 3.10 ERISA77
SECTION 3.11 Disclosure77
SECTION 3.12 Subsidiaries77
SECTION 3.13 Insurance77
SECTION 3.14 Labor Matters77
SECTION 3.15 Sanctioned Persons, etc78
SECTION 3.16 USA PATRIOT Act, Etc79
ARTICLE IV
Conditions
79
SECTION 4.01 Conditions to Initial Borrowing79
SECTION 4.02 Each Credit Event81
ARTICLE V
Affirmative Covenants
81
SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information82
SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events83
SECTION 5.03 [RESERVED].84
SECTION 5.04 Existence; Conduct of Business84
SECTION 5.05 Payment of Obligations84
SECTION 5.06 Maintenance of Properties84
SECTION 5.07 Insurance84





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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
SECTION 5.08 Further Assurances85
SECTION 5.09 Books and Records; Inspection Rights85
SECTION 5.10 Compliance with Laws85
SECTION 5.11 Use of Proceeds of Loans and Letters of Credit85
SECTION 5.12 Senior Obligations86
SECTION 5.13 Additional Subsidiaries86
ARTICLE VI
Negative Covenants
86
SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness87
SECTION 6.02 Liens89
SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes90
SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions91
SECTION 6.05 Asset Sales93
SECTION 6.06 Swap Agreements94
SECTION 6.07 Restricted Payments94
SECTION 6.08 Transactions with Affiliates95
SECTION 6.09 Restrictive Agreements95
SECTION 6.10 Amendment of Material Documents96
SECTION 6.11 Interest Coverage Ratio97
SECTION 6.12 Total Leverage Ratio97
SECTION 6.13 Minimum Liquidity97
SECTION 6.14 OFAC Compliance97
SECTION 6.15 Successor Transaction97
SECTION 6.16 Maximum Aggregate Debt.97
ARTICLE VII
Events of Default
98
SECTION 7.01 Events of Default98
SECTION 7.02 Exclusion of Immaterial Subsidiaries100
ARTICLE VIII
The Administrative Agent
100
SECTION 8.01 The Administrative Agent as Agent100
SECTION 8.02 The Administrative Agent as Lender100
SECTION 8.03 No Duties101





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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
SECTION 8.04 Reliance by the Agent and Exculpation101
SECTION 8.05 Delegation of Agent’s Obligations101
SECTION 8.06 Successor102
SECTION 8.07 Credit Decisions102
SECTION 8.08 Limitations on Obligations of Certain Transaction Parties102
SECTION 8.09 Guarantee Matters103
SECTION 8.10 Certain ERISA Matters103
SECTION 8.11 Erroneous Payments104
ARTICLE IX
Miscellaneous
108
SECTION 9.01 Notices108
SECTION 9.02 Waivers; Amendments109
SECTION 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver112
SECTION 9.04 Successors and Assigns113
SECTION 9.05 Survival119
SECTION 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness119
SECTION 9.07 Severability119
SECTION 9.08 Right of Setoff119
SECTION 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process120
SECTION 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL121
SECTION 9.11 Headings121
SECTION 9.12 Confidentiality121
SECTION 9.13 Interest Rate Limitation122
SECTION 9.14 Judgment Currency122
SECTION 9.15 USA PATRIOT Act123
SECTION 9.16 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions123
SECTION 9.17 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs123









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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
Schedule 2.01    Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 3.06Disclosed Matters
Schedule 3.12Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.01Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02Existing Liens
Schedule 6.04Existing Investments
Schedule 6.09Existing Restrictive Agreements
Exhibit AForm of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement
Exhibit BForm of U.S. Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit CForm of Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement
Exhibit DForm of Borrowing Request
Exhibit EForm of Issuance Request
Exhibit FForm of Interest Election Request
Exhibit GForm of Certificate of Financial Officer
Exhibit HForm of Revolving Note
Exhibit I-1Form of Term Note A1
Exhibit I-2Form of Term Note A2
Exhibit I-3Form of Term Note A3




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CREDIT AGREEMENT


This CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of February 20, 2019 (this “Agreement”), is among SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (“STX”), SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Borrower”), the various financial institutions and other Persons from time to time parties hereto (the “Lenders”) and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA (“Scotiabank”), as administrative agent (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”).
W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders make, and the Lenders have made, Loans (such capitalized term, and other terms used in the preamble and these recitals to have the meanings set forth in Article I) to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the applicable Commitment;
WHEREAS, the Loan Parties have requested that this Agreement be amended pursuant to the Sixth Amendment to, among other things, permit the borrowing of new Term Loans; and
WHEREAS, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks are willing, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sixth Amendment, to amend the Loan Documents in certain respects, including to commit to make and make Term Loan A3 to the Borrower;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I

Definitions
SECTION 1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
“ABR,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
“ABR Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term SOFR”.
“Adjusted Term SOFR” means, for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term SOFR for such calculation plus (b) the Term SOFR Adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.



4144-2392-2490


“Administrative Agent” means Scotiabank, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Article VIII.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“Affected Financial Institution” means (i) any EEA Financial Institution or (ii) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no individual shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of a Person solely by reason of his or her being an officer or director of such Person and (ii) Thanachart Bank shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of The Bank of Nova Scotia.
“Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Base Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month Interest Period (to the extent such rate is available) on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Base Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Base Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR, respectively. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Alternate Base Rate shall be less than zero, then such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes hereof.
“Alternative Currency” means any currency that is freely available, freely transferable and freely convertible into dollars and in which dealings in deposits are carried on in the New York, London or Tokyo interbank markets, provided that such currency is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank.
“Alternative Currency LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of all outstanding Alternative Currency Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all LC Disbursements in respect of Alternative Currency Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed at such time.
“Alternative Currency Letter of Credit” means a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency.
“Anti-Terrorism Order” means United States Executive Order No. 13224.
“Applicable Margin” means, prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the rate set forth in this Agreement prior to the effectiveness of the Sixth Amendment, and thereafter as follows, for any day, with respect to any SOFR Loan or ABR Loan or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth



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below under the applicable caption, as the case may be, based upon the corporate issuer rating (or the equivalent thereof) (referred to as the “Issuer Ratings”) of the Borrower or one of its parent entities issued by Moody’s and S&P, respectively, applicable on such date to the Borrower or one of its parent entities, as applicable:
REVOLVING LOANS
Issuer Rating
Revolving
Loan
SOFR Spread
Revolving
Loan
ABR Spread
Revolving Loan
Commitment
Fee Rate
Category 1
Equal to or higher than:
BBB by S&P
Baa2 by Moody’s
1.125%0.125%0.150%
Category 2
BBB- by S&P
Baa3 by Moody’s
1.375%0.375%0.200%
Category 3
BB+ by S&P
Ba1 by Moody’s
1.625%0.625%0.250%
Category 4
BB by S&P
Ba2 by Moody’s
1.875%0.875%0.325%
Category 5
Equal to or lower than:
BB- by S&P
Ba3 by Moody’s
2.375%1.375%0.400%




















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TERM LOANS

Issuer Rating
Term Loan A1 SOFR Spread
Term Loan A1
ABR Spread
Term Loan A2 SOFR Spread
Term Loan A2
ABR Spread
Term Loan A3
SOFR Spread
Term Loan A3
ABR Spread
Category 1
Equal to or higher than:
BBB by S&P
Baa2 by Moody’s
1.125%0.125%1.250%0.250%1.250%0.250%
Category 2
BBB- by S&P
Baa3 by Moody’s
1.375%0.375%1.500%0.500%1.500%0.500%
Category 3
BB+ by S&P
Ba1 by Moody’s
1.625%0.625%1.750%0.750%1.750%0.750%
Category 4
BB by S&P
Ba2 by Moody’s
1.875%0.875%2.000%1.000%2.000%1.000%
Category 5
Equal to or lower than:
BB- by S&P
Ba3 by Moody’s
2.375%1.375%2.500%1.500%2.500%1.500%

Subject to the next sentence, on and following the Sixth Amendment Effective Date the Applicable Margin for Term Loan A3 maintained as (a) ABR Loans will be no less than 0.750% per annum and (b) SOFR Loans will be no less than 1.750% per annum.
Upon delivery of the compliance certificate pursuant to clause (c) of Section 5.01 for the first full fiscal quarter occurring after the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Applicable Margin for Term Loan A3 will be as specified in accordance with the grid above.
For purposes of the foregoing, if on any date Moody’s and S&P shall have in effect Issuer Ratings within different Categories, the Applicable Margin and Commitment Fee Rate shall be based on the higher of the two ratings unless one of the two ratings is two or more Categories lower than the other, in which case the Applicable Margin and Commitment Fee Rate shall be determined by reference to the Category next lower than that of the higher of the two ratings. If either Moody’s or S&P shall not have an Issuer Rating in effect (other than by reason of the last sentence of this clause), then such rating agency shall be deemed to have established a rating in Category 5. If the Issuer Rating established or deemed to have been established by a rating agency shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of such rating agency), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is first announced by the applicable rating agency, irrespective of when notice of such change shall have been furnished by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to delivery of financial information or otherwise. Each change in the Applicable Margin and Commitment Fee Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If the rating system of a rating agency shall change, or if such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating borrowers, then the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating
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agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Margin and commitment fee shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.
“Applicable Percentage” means, as to any Lender on any date of determination (and without duplication), the percentage that (a) (i) the outstanding principal amount of all Loans, (ii) the LC Exposure, and (iii) if Commitments have not theretofore been terminated or expired, the unfunded amount of such Commitments, of or owing to such Lender bears to (b) (i) the outstanding principal amount of all Loans, (ii) the aggregate LC Exposure, and (iii) if Commitments have not theretofore been terminated or expired, the unfunded amount of such Commitments, of or owing to all Lenders.
“Approved Electronic Platform” is defined in Section 8.11(d).
“Assignment and Acceptance Agreement” means the Assignment and Acceptance Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto.
“Availability Period” means (a) in the case of Revolving Loans, the period from and including the Fifth Amendment Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination or expiration of the corresponding Revolving Commitment for Revolving Loans; (b) in the case of Term Loan A1 and Term Loan A2, the Fifth Amendment Effective Date; and (c) in the case of Term Loan A3, the Sixth Amendment Effective Date.
“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (a) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an interest period pursuant to this Agreement or (b) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.24(d).
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, rule, regulation or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Base Rate” means, at any time, the rate of interest then most recently established by the Administrative Agent in New York as its base rate for dollars loaned in the United States. The Base Rate is not necessarily intended to be the lowest rate of interest determined by the Administrative Agent in connection with extensions of credit.
“Benchmark” means, initially, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to
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the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.24(a).
“Benchmark Replacement” means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event, the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement to the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if such Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than the Floor, such Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for each applicable Interest Period, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or a negative value or zero), that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.
“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate”, the definition of “Business Day”, the definition of “Interest Period”, the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day”, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the use and administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark: (a) in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or (b) in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) have been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or
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publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.
For the avoidance of doubt, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(a) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(b) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(c) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Start Date” means, in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (a) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (b) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than ninety (90) days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication).
“Benchmark Unavailability Period means the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.24 and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.24.
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“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership to the extent required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, which certification shall be substantially similar in substance to the form of Certification Regarding Beneficial Owners of Legal Entity Customers included as Appendix A to the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA; (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code; or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan.”
“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
“Bookrunner” means each of Scotiabank and the Lenders listed on Schedule 2.01 hereto, in their capacities as the Bookrunners for the Revolving Loan facility or the Term Loan facility, as applicable.
“Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Borrowing” means (a) as applicable, Revolving Loans or Term Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of SOFR Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (b) a Swingline Loan.
“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto.
“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions in such state are authorized or required by Law to close.
“Calculation Date” means (a) the last Business Day of each calendar month and (b) if on the last Business Day of any calendar week the total Revolving Exposures exceed 75% of the total Revolving Commitments (giving effect to any reductions in the Revolving Commitments scheduled to occur on such day), such Business Day.
“Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, without duplication, (a) the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries that are (or would be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of STX for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP and (b) Capital Lease Obligations incurred by STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries during such period, provided that the term “Capital Expenditures” (i) shall be net of landlord construction allowances, (ii) shall not include expenditures to the extent they are made with the proceeds of the issuance of Equity Interests of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Effective Date, (iii) shall not include expenditures of proceeds of insurance settlements, condemnation awards and other settlements in respect of lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets, equipment or other property to the extent such expenditures are made to replace or repair such lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets, equipment or other property or otherwise to acquire assets useful in the business of STX, the
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Borrower or any Subsidiary within 365 days of receipt of such proceeds, (iv) shall not include the purchase price of equipment to the extent the consideration therefor consists of used or surplus equipment being traded in at such time or the proceeds of a concurrent sale of such used or surplus equipment, in each case in the ordinary course of business, and (v) shall not include expenditures to the extent they are made with the proceeds of sales of assets outside the ordinary course of business that are permitted by Section 6.05.
“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that all leases that would have been treated as operating leases under GAAP on the date hereof shall continue to be so treated notwithstanding any change in GAAP that would re-classify such leases as capital leases.
“Cash Collateralize” shall mean, in respect of any obligations, to provide and pledge (as a first priority perfected security interest) cash collateral for such obligations in dollars, with the Administrative Agent pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and “Cash Collateralization” has a corresponding meaning).
“Cash Management Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in clause (c) of the definition of the term “Obligations”.
“Cash-Pay Preferred Equity” means any preferred shares or other preferred Equity Interests that are issued by STX or ST and that require the payment of mandatory cash dividends.
“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.
“Certificate of Financial Officer” means a Certificate of Financial Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit G hereto, or such other form as the Borrower and Administrative Agent shall agree to.
“CFC Subsidiary” means, with respect to any U.S. Subsidiary, a direct or indirect subsidiary of such U.S. Subsidiary that is a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.
“Change in Control” means:
(a)    the failure of STX to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests in the Borrower;
(b)    the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of Equity Interests in STX representing greater than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power and aggregate equity value represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in STX; provided, however that subject to compliance with Section 6.15 a transaction (referred to as a “Successor Transaction”) will not be deemed to involve a Change in Control under this clause if (i) STX becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company, and (ii)(x) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of STX’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (y) immediately following that transaction no “person” or “group” (other than a holding company
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satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the Voting Stock of such holding company;
(c)    occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of STX or the Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by at least a majority of the board of directors of STX, SDST or the Borrower, as applicable, nor (ii) appointed by a vote of a majority of directors so nominated; or
(d)    the occurrence of a “Change of Control” or “Change of Control Trigger Event” (or similar terms) in each case as defined in any applicable Senior Note Document or any document governing or evidencing any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement of any Senior Notes permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(ii), in each case solely to the extent such “Change of Control” or “Change of Control Trigger Event” (or similar term) gives the holders of such Indebtedness the right to accelerate such Indebtedness or to have such Indebtedness repurchased or otherwise retired or repaid by the issuer thereof or a third-party on such issuer’s behalf.
“Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or any Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.14(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement. Whenever there is a reference in this Agreement to the adoption of any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its LIBO lending office) or any Issuing Bank with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) made after the Effective Date, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, guidelines, or directives in connection therewith shall be deemed to have gone into effect and adopted after the Effective Date, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority), or the United States (or foreign) regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Term Loan A1, Term Loan A2, Term Loan A3, Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans, as applicable, and, when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Term Loan Commitment, Revolving Commitment or Swingline Commitment.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Commitment” means (a) with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or Term Loan Commitment, and (b) with respect to any Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment.
“Commitment Fee Rate” means the rate applicable to the payment of commitment fees as set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin.
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“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
“Consolidated Cash Interest Expense” means, for any period, the excess of (a) the sum of (i) the interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and the implied interest in respect of Permitted Receivables Factoring) of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (ii) any interest accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is required to be capitalized rather than included in such consolidated interest expense for such period in accordance with GAAP, plus (iii) any cash payments made during such period in respect of obligations referred to in clause (b)(ii) below that were amortized or accrued in a previous period, plus (iv) to the extent not otherwise included, commissions, discounts, yields and other fees, charges and amounts incurred in connection with any Permitted Receivables Factoring during such period that are payable to any Person other than STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any other amounts for such period that are comparable to or in the nature of interest under any Permitted Receivables Factoring (including losses on the sale of assets relating to any Permitted Receivables Factoring accounted for as a “true sale”), minus (b) the sum of (i) to the extent included in such consolidated interest expense for such period, non-cash amounts attributable to amortization of financing costs paid in a previous period, plus (ii) to the extent included in such consolidated interest expense for such period, non-cash amounts attributable to amortization of debt discounts or accrued interest or dividends payable in kind for such period.
“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus
(a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of
(i) consolidated interest expense for such period (including, to the extent not otherwise included in consolidated interest expense for such period, commissions, discounts, yields and other fees, charges and amounts incurred during such period in connection with any Permitted Receivables Factoring that are payable to any Person other than STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any other amounts for such period comparable to or in the nature of interest under any Permitted Receivables Factoring (including losses on the sale of assets relating to any Permitted Receivables Factoring accounted for as a “true sale”) and any non-cash accruals, capitalizations, amortizations or similar adjustments made under the definition of “Consolidated Cash Interest Expense”),
(ii) consolidated income tax expense for such period,
(iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period,
(iv) all extraordinary charges during such period,
(v) non-cash expenses during such period resulting from (A) the grant of stock or stock options to management and employees of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (B) the treatment of such options under variable plan accounting,
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(vi) the aggregate amount of deferred financing expenses for such period,
(vii) all other non-cash charges, non-cash expenses or non-cash losses of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary for such period (excluding any such charge, expense or loss incurred in the ordinary course of business that constitutes an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period), provided, however, that cash payments made in such period or in any future period (other than payments made under the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plans to, or for the benefit of, participants in such Deferred Compensation Plans) in respect of such non-cash charges, expenses or losses (excluding any such charge, expense or loss incurred in the ordinary course of business that constitutes an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period) shall be subtracted from Consolidated Net Income in calculating Consolidated EBITDA in the period when such payments are made, and
(viii) any non-recurring fees, expenses or charges realized by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary for such period related to any offering of Equity Interests or incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be issued or incurred under Section 6.01 (whether or not successful) or any acquisitions or dispositions by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary permitted hereunder and fees, expenses and charges related to the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by STX and the Borrower, and
minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income,
(i) any extraordinary gains for such period,
(ii) interest income for such period and
(iii) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any items that represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period that are described in the parenthetical to clause (a)(vii) above),
all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of calculating the Total Leverage Ratio or the Interest Coverage Ratio as of any date, if STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary has made any Material Acquisition permitted by Section 6.04 or any Material Sale outside of the ordinary course of business permitted by Section 6.05 during the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the date on which the most recent fiscal quarter ended, Consolidated EBITDA for the relevant period for testing compliance shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto, as if such Material Acquisition or Material Sale outside of the ordinary course of business (and any related incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness with any new Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) had occurred on the first day of the relevant period for testing compliance. Any pro forma calculations pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Borrower and may include adjustments (A) for all purposes under this Agreement, for operating expense reductions that would be permitted pursuant to Article XI of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (B) for all purposes under this Agreement other than for purposes of determining whether any acquisition complies with clause (p)(ii)(A) of Section 6.04, to eliminate the actual, historical operating expenses attributable to any lease or other contract, any personnel or any facility as a direct result of the termination of such lease or other contract, the termination of such personnel or the closing of such facility, in each case only if such termination or closing has been effected within three months after an acquisition in connection with such acquisition,
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provided that the Borrower’s calculation of such adjustments is set forth in a certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower.
    “Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income or loss of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, provided that, except as otherwise provided in the definition of Consolidated EBITDA with respect to the calculation of the Total Leverage Ratio or the Interest Coverage Ratio, there shall be excluded from such net income or loss (a) the income of any Person (that is not a Subsidiary) in which any other Person (other than STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any director holding qualifying shares in compliance with applicable law) owns an Equity Interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary by such Person during such period, and (b) the income or loss of any Person accrued prior to the date on which it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the date on which such Person’s assets are acquired by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
    “Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of any date, the total assets of the Borrower and its subsidiaries on such date determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
    “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.
    “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Covered Party” is defined in Section 9.17.
“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
    “Defaulting Lender” shall mean, at any time, a Lender (a) that has failed for three or more Business Days to comply with its obligations under this Agreement to make a Loan and/or to make a payment to an Issuing Bank in respect of a Letter of Credit or to a Swingline Lender in respect of a Swingline Loan (each a “funding obligation”), unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, (b) that has notified the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, or has stated publicly, that it will not comply with any such funding obligation hereunder, or has defaulted on, its obligation to fund generally under any other loan agreement, credit agreement or other financing agreement, (c) that has, for three or more Business Days, failed to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent, in response to a written request of the Administrative Agent, that it will comply with its funding obligations hereunder, (d) with respect to which a Lender Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, or (e) that has become the subject of a Bail-in Action.
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
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    “Deferred Compensation Plans” means (a) the deferred compensation plan dated as of January 1, 2002, of Seagate US LLC (as amended, waived, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), (b) any other plan established in lieu of, or to renew or replace, in whole or in part, any plan referred to in clause (a) above or this clause (b) and (c) any Guarantee by STX or any Subsidiary of any obligation under any Deferred Compensation Plan referred to in clause (a) or (b) above.
    “Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits and proceedings and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.
    “Documentation Agent” means each Lender listed on Schedule 2.01 hereto, in its capacity as the Documentation Agent.
    “Dollar Equivalent” means, on any date of determination, (a) for the purposes of determining compliance with Article VI or the existence of an Event of Default under Article VII, with respect to any amount denominated in a currency other than dollars, the equivalent in dollars of such amount, determined in good faith by the Borrower in a manner consistent with the way such amount is or would be reflected on the audited consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) for the fiscal year in which such determination is made, and (b) for the purposes of Article II, with respect to any amount denominated in an Alternative Currency, the equivalent in dollars of such amount, determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1.05(a) using the applicable Exchange Rate with respect to such Alternative Currency.
    “dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.
    “EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country that is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country that is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country that is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Effective Date” means February 20, 2019.
    “Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions or other legally enforceable requirements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, relating to the protection of the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources or the presence, management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material.
    “Environmental Liability” means any liabilities, obligations, damages, claims, actions, suits, judgments or orders, contingent or otherwise (including any costs of environmental remediation, administrative oversight costs, fines, penalties or indemnities), of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary resulting from or relating to (a) the non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or
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threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
    “Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person.
    “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
    “ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan whether or not waived, (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan, (e) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA); (f) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA, (g) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (h) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA), or in endangered or critical status (within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA).
“Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(a).

“Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(d)(i).

“Erroneous Payment Impacted Class” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(d)(i).

“Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(d)(i).

“Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(e).

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.
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“Exchange Rate” means, on any day, with respect to any Alternative Currency, the rate at which such Alternative Currency may be exchanged into dollars, as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such day on the applicable Reuters World Spot Page. In the event that any such rate does not appear on any Reuters World Spot Page, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower for such purpose or, at the discretion of the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the arithmetic average of the spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent in the market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such Alternative Currency are then being conducted, at or about 10:00 a.m., local time, on such day for the purchase of the applicable Alternative Currency for delivery two Business Days later, provided that, if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such spot rate is being quoted, the Administrative Agent may use any other reasonable method it deems appropriate to determine such rate, and such determination shall be presumed correct absent manifest error.
“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, as applicable, such Swap Obligation (or any guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the guaranty from, or the grant of a security interest by (as applicable) such Guarantor becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one Swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swaps for which such guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.
“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a)Taxes imposed on (or measured by) net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profit Taxes, in each case (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, Cayman Islands withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.18(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.16 amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office. (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.16(f) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
“Extending Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.23.
“FATCA” means (i) Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as in effect on the Effective Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and the Common Reporting Standard issued by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (“CRS”), and (ii) any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules, guidance notes or
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practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such sections of the Code or CRS.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
“Fee Letter” means the Administrative Agent’s Fee Letter, dated September 13, 2021 between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
“Finance Parties” means (a) each Lender (and any Affiliate of such Lender to which any Cash Management Obligation is owed), (b) each Issuing Bank, (c) the Administrative Agent, (d) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement with a Loan Party the obligations under which constitute Obligations, (e) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, (f) each counterparty to any Platinum Lease with a Loan Party the obligations under which constitute Obligations and (g) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of STX or the Borrower, as the case may be.
“Fifth Amendment” means the Fifth Amendment, dated as of October 14, 2021, to this Agreement, among the Borrower, STX, the Lenders party thereto, and the Administrative Agent.
“Fifth Amendment Effective Date” is defined in the Fifth Amendment.
“First Amendment” means the First Amendment, dated as of May 28, 2019, to this Agreement, among the Borrower, STX, the Additional Lenders party thereto, and the Administrative Agent.
“First Amendment Effective Date” is defined in the First Amendment.
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc.
“Floor” means 0.00%.
“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than (a) the United States of America (including any State thereof and the District of Columbia) or (b) the Cayman Islands.
“Foreign Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement” means an agreement between any Foreign Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent that (a) provides a Guarantee of the Obligations by such Foreign Subsidiary in favor of, and other rights and benefits to, the Administrative Agent and the other Finance Parties substantially the same as the Guarantee of the Obligations and the other rights and benefits provided by the U.S. Guarantee Agreement (except as prohibited by
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applicable law) and (b) is otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
“Fourth Amendment” means the Fourth Amendment, dated as of May 18, 2021, to this Agreement, among the Borrower, STX, and the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders.
“Fourth Amendment Effective Date” is defined in the Fourth Amendment.
“Funded Indebtedness” means, as of any date, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries outstanding as of such date, in the amount that would be reflected on a balance sheet prepared as of such date on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (b) without duplication, the aggregate amount of any Guarantee by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any such Indebtedness of any other Person, (c) without duplication, the principal amount of any Permitted Receivables Factoring as of such date and (d) without duplication, the aggregate liquidation value (or equivalent thereof) of Cash-Pay Preferred Equity (including any deferred dividend payments with respect thereto) as of such date.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation, provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
    “Guarantee Agreements” means (a) with respect to each U.S. Loan Party, each Loan Party organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands and each other Loan Party reasonably designated by the Administrative Agent, the U.S. Guarantee Agreement; (b) the Parent Guarantee; and (c) with respect to each other Loan Party, a Foreign Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement.
    “Guarantee Requirement” means, at any time, the requirement that:
(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received from each Loan Party a counterpart of each of (i) the applicable Guarantee Agreement, and (ii) in the case of any Loan Party that executes the U.S. Guarantee Agreement, the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement.
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(b) within 30 days after the request therefor by the Administrative Agent (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its discretion), the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a signed copy of an opinion, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the other Finance Parties, of counsel for the Loan Parties reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent as to such matters set forth in this definition as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
Notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, (i) no Guarantee by any Person shall be required pursuant to this definition if the Administrative Agent determines, after consultation with the Borrower, that (a) providing such Guarantee would (x) violate the law of the jurisdiction in which the Person providing such Guarantee, (y) violate the terms of any material contract binding on STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or (z) result in a material adverse tax consequence to the Person providing such Guarantee, or (b) the cost to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of providing such Guarantee would be excessive in view of the related benefits to be received by the Lenders therefrom, and (iii) no Obligation of any U.S. Loan Party shall be required to be Guaranteed by any CFC Subsidiary or any Qualified CFC Holding Company, in each case of any U.S. Subsidiary.
    “Guarantors” means, collectively, as of the Effective Date, Seagate UC, ST, SDST, Seagate Technology (US), STI, Seagate Technology (Ireland), an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands, Seagate Technology LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Seagate International (Johor) Sdn. Bhd., a limited company incorporated in Malaysia, Seagate Technology (Thailand) Limited, a limited company incorporated in Thailand, Seagate Singapore International Headquarters Pte. Ltd., a private limited company incorporated in Singapore and, following the Effective Date, STX and all other direct and indirect Subsidiaries of STX required to deliver a guaranty of the Obligations pursuant to Section 5.13 of this Agreement.
    “Hazardous Materials” means all explosive, radioactive, hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes, and all substances or wastes regulated due to their harmful or deleterious nature or characteristics pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law, including any material listed as a hazardous substance under Section 101(14) of CERCLA.
“Immaterial Subsidiary” means, on any day, a Subsidiary that holds less than 2.50% of the Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of STX most recently ended prior to such day, provided that the term “Immaterial Subsidiary” shall not include any wholly-owned Subsidiary that has executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Guarantee Agreement (or, if applicable, a supplement thereto) and satisfied the Guarantee Requirement (to the extent applicable to such Subsidiary).
“Incremental Amendment” is defined in Section 2.21(b).
“Incremental Closing Date” is defined in Section 2.21(c).
“Incremental Lender” is defined in Section 2.21(b).
“Incremental Loan” is defined in Section 2.21(a).
“Incremental Loan Commitment” is defined in Section 2.21(a).
“Incremental Revolving Loan Commitment” is defined in Section 2.21(a).
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“Incremental Revolving Loan Increase” is defined in Section 2.21(a).
“Incremental Term Loan” is defined in Section 2.21(a).
“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” is defined in Section 2.21(a).
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business and any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (k) the amount of all Permitted Receivables Factoring of such Person and (l) all Cash-Pay Preferred Equity. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, the term “Indebtedness” shall not include (i) obligations under Swap Agreements, (ii) agreements providing for indemnification, purchase price adjustments or similar obligations incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets or stock, (iii) liabilities incurred under the Deferred Compensation Plans or (iv) liabilities customarily incurred under the Platinum Leases.
    “Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.
    “Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement” means the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto.
    “Interest Coverage Ratio” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of STX ended on such date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 to (b) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such period.
“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07 in substantially the form of Exhibit F hereto.
    “Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December, (b) with respect to any SOFR Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a SOFR Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three
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months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.
    “Interest Period” means, with respect to any SOFR Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, three or six months (or, with the consent of each Lender, twelve months) thereafter, as the Borrower may elect, provided that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and, in the case of a Borrowing, thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
“Investment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.
    “Investment Grade Period” means any period (a) commencing on the first day on which (x) two or more of the Issuer Ratings are Investment Grade Ratings and (y) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (b) ending on the date on which two or more of the Issuer Ratings are no longer Investment Grade Ratings.
    “Investment Grade Ratings” means that two or more of the following Issuer Ratings have been concurrently established by the applicable rating agencies: BBB- (or, for purposes of Section 6.05, BBB) or higher from S&P, Baa3 (or, for purposes of Section 6.05, Baa2) or higher from Moody’s and/or BBB- (or, for purposes of Section 6.05, BBB) or higher from Fitch.
“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.
“Issuance Request” means an Issuance Request in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto.
    “Issuer Ratings” is defined in the definition of Applicable Margin.
    “Issuing Bank” means, as the context may require, (a) Scotiabank, with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it, and (b) any other Lender that becomes an Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.05(l), with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it, and, in each case, its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.05(i). Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.
“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
    “LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit denominated in dollars at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that were made in dollars and that have not yet been
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reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time plus (c) the Alternative Currency LC Exposure at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.
    “Lender Affiliate” means, (a) with respect to any Lender, (i) an Affiliate of such Lender or (ii) an entity (whether a corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and is administered or managed by such Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender and (b) with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit and is managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.
“Lender Insolvency Event” shall mean that (a) a Lender or its Parent Company is insolvent, or is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or (b) a Lender or its Parent Company is the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation or similar proceeding, or a receiver, trustee, conservator, custodian or the like has been appointed for such Lender or its Parent Company, or such Lender or its Parent Company has taken any action in furtherance of or indicating its consent to or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment, or (c) a Lender or its Parent Company has been adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Person or its assets to be, insolvent, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a Lender Insolvency Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in or control of a Lender or a Parent Company thereof by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof.
    “Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to Section 9.04, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to Section 9.04. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lenders.
    “Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.
    “Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.
    “Liquidity Amount” means, as of any date,
(a) during any Investment Grade Period, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments not subject to a Lien or security interest in favor of any Person that would be reflected as cash, cash equivalents or short-term investments on a consolidated balance sheet of STX prepared in accordance with GAAP, owned by the Borrower and its subsidiaries on such date; and
(b) during any Non-Investment Grade Period, an amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments not subject to a Lien or security interest in favor of any Person that would be reflected as cash, cash equivalents or short-term investments on a consolidated balance sheet of STX prepared in accordance with GAAP, owned by the Borrower and its subsidiaries on such date and (B) the available borrowing capacity on the Revolving Commitment and any Permitted Receivables Factoring, provided that
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the Revolving Commitment and Permitted Receivables Factoring’s remaining term to maturity is greater than one year, minus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Funded Indebtedness outstanding on such date the remaining term to maturity of which equals one year or less.
    “Loan Document Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Obligations”.
    “Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreements, any Promissory Notes and any other document or instrument executed and delivered by any Loan Party that by its terms states that it is a Loan Document, and in each case any amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications to any of the foregoing.
    “Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.
    “Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, including Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and Term Loans.
    “Material Acquisition” means, at any time, any acquisition (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is permitted hereunder and for which the sum (without duplication) of all consideration paid or otherwise delivered by STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in connection with such acquisition (including the principal amount of any Indebtedness issued as deferred purchase price and the fair market value, determined reasonably and in good faith by the Borrower, of any other non-cash consideration, including Equity Interests in STX or any Subsidiary) plus the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness otherwise incurred or assumed by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with such acquisition (including Indebtedness of any acquired Person outstanding at the time of such acquisition) exceeds the amount that is equal to 5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the fiscal year of STX most recently ended at or prior to such time.
    “Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations, properties or financial condition of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents or (c) any material rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under the Loan Documents.
    “Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of any Person in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that such Person would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.
    “Material Sale” means, at any time, any sale, transfer or other disposition of any property or asset of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is permitted hereunder and for which all consideration paid or otherwise delivered to STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in connection with such sale, transfer or other disposition (including the principal amount of any Indebtedness issued as deferred purchase price and the fair market value, determined reasonably and in good faith by the Borrower, of any other non-cash consideration, including Equity Interests) plus the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries assumed by the purchaser of such property or asset in connection with such sale (including Indebtedness of any Person sold, transferred or disposed of by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is assumed by the purchaser of such Person in connection with such sale)
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exceeds the amount that is equal to 5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the fiscal year of STX most recently ended at or prior to such time.
    “Maturity Date” means with respect to (a) Term Loan A1, September 16, 2025; (b) Term Loan A2, July 30, 2027; (c) Term Loan A3, July 30, 2027; and (d) Revolving Loans and related Swingline Loans, October 14, 2026. If the applicable scheduled Maturity Date is not a Business Day, then the actual Maturity Date shall be the Business Day immediately preceding such scheduled date.
    “Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
    “Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making or is obligated to make any contributions.
“New Obligor” is defined in Section 6.15.
“Non-Consenting Lender” shall mean any Lender which has not consented to any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination of the Loan Documents pursuant to Section 9.02 requiring the consent of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in respect of which the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained.
    “Non-Extending Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.23.
“Non-Investment Grade Period” means any period of time other than an Investment Grade Period.
    “Obligations” means
(a) the due and punctual payment of (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by the Borrower in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements made by any Issuing Bank with respect thereto, interest thereon and obligations to provide, under certain circumstances, cash collateral in connection therewith and (iii) all other monetary obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), of the Loan Parties to the Finance Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (all the foregoing obligations being collectively called the “Loan Document Obligations”),
(b) unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the applicable Lender or Affiliate of a Lender party thereto, the due and punctual payment of all obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party under each Swap Agreement (it being understood that, for purposes of this clause (b), the term “Swap Agreement” shall not include Platinum Leases or Swap Agreements permitted under clause (c)(i)(B) or clause (c)(ii) of Section 6.06) that (i) is in effect on the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) as of the Effective Date or (ii) is entered into after the Effective Date with any counterparty that is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into (the obligations referred to in this clause (b) being collectively referred to as the “Swap Obligations”),
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(c) the due and punctual payment of all obligations in respect of overdrafts and related liabilities owed to any Lender or any of its Affiliates and arising from treasury, depositary and cash management services or in connection with any automated clearing house transfers of funds (the obligations referred to in this clause (c) being collectively referred to as the “Cash Management Obligations”),
(d) unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the applicable Lender or Affiliate of a Lender party thereto, the due and punctual payment of all obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party under each Platinum Lease that (i) is in effect on the Effective Date with a lessor that is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) as of the Effective Date or (ii) is entered into after the Effective Date with any lessor that is a Lender (or an Affiliate of a Lender) at the time such Platinum Lease is entered into (the obligations referred to in this clause (d) being collectively referred to as the “Platinum Lease Obligations”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations, and
(e) without duplication of any of the foregoing, the Loan Parties obligations to pay, discharge and satisfy the Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights.
    “OFAC” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, and any successor thereto.
    “Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
    “Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.18(b)).
    “Overdraft Facility” means any same-day overdraft facility extended by a bank or other lending institution to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
    “Parent Company” shall mean, with respect to a Lender, the bank holding company (as defined in Federal Reserve Board Regulation Y), if any, of such Lender, and/or any Person owning, beneficially or of record, directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares of such Lender.
“Parent Guarantee” means a guarantee by STX, Seagate UC or other parent entity of the Borrower, as applicable.
    “Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).
    “Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(h).
    “Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.11(a).
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
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“Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term SOFR”.
    “Permitted Encumbrances” means:
(a)     Liens imposed by law for taxes or other governmental charges that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;
(b)    landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;
(c)    pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;
(d)    Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(e)    judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Section 7.01;
(f)    easements, zoning restrictions, licenses, reservations, covenants, utility easements, building restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business and minor defects or irregularities in title that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(g)    any interest or title of a lessor under any lease permitted by this Agreement;
(h)    Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(i)    leases or subleases granted to other Persons and not interfering in any material respect with the business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(j)    licenses of intellectual property granted in the ordinary course of business; and
(k)    Liens substantially similar to the Liens described in clauses (a) through (j) of this definition and arising by operation of law in any jurisdiction outside of the United States of America.
provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.
“Permitted Investments” means:
(a)     direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof;
(b)    investments in commercial paper maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in
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existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America and having, at such date of acquisition, a rating of “P-1” (or better) from Moody’s or “A-1” (or better) from S&P;
(c)    investments in (i) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, time deposits and money market deposit accounts maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with any commercial bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America or (ii) obligations of United States Federal agencies sponsored by the Federal government (including, without limitation, the Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and Federal National Mortgage Association) that are not direct obligations of the United States of America or any State thereof and are not obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any State thereof, in each case which bank, trust company or Federally sponsored agency has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits in excess of $250,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated “A” (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended);
(d)    fully collateralized repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 45 days for securities described in clause (a) above or clause (e), (f) or (g) below and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above;
(e)    investments in securities issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having maturities of not more than three years from the date of acquisition thereof and, having a rating of at least “AA” from S&P or “Aa” from Moody’s;
(f)    investments in securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and having a rating of at least “A” from S&P or from Moody’s;
(g)    investments in securities issued by any foreign government or any political subdivision of any foreign government or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest credit ratings obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;
(h)    investments in corporate bonds or notes having maturities of not more than five years from the date of acquisition thereof and having a rating of at least “A” from S&P or from Moody’s;
(i)    auction rate preferred stock having maturities of not more than 90 days from the date of acquisition thereof, provided that the long-term senior unsecured debt of the issuer of such preferred stock shall have a rating of at least “A” from S&P or from Moody’s;
(j)    investments in funds that invest substantially all their assets in one or more types of securities described in clauses (a) through (i) above; and
(k)    money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and (ii) have portfolio assets of at least $1,000,000,000.
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    “Permitted Obligation” means an obligation of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (for purposes of this definition, a “Primary Obligor”) not constituting Indebtedness, including obligations under the Swap Agreements permitted under Section 6.06, provided (a) such obligation is entered into in the ordinary course of such Primary Obligor’s business, (b) any Guarantee of such obligation by STX, any Subsidiary or the Borrower, is given in the ordinary course of business, and (c) any Guarantee of such obligation is reasonably consistent with the practices of STX, any such Subsidiary or the Borrower and reasonably necessary to permit the Primary Obligor to incur such obligation.
    “Permitted Priority Debt Amount” means an amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding.
    “Permitted Receivables Factoring” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the nature of a non-recourse, “true sale” factoring arrangement and not a securitization of assets or involving the incurrence of indebtedness for borrowed money, pursuant to which it may sell, convey, or otherwise transfer (which sale, conveyance, or transfer may include or be supported by the grant of a security interest in) Receivables or interests therein and all collateral securing such Receivables, all contracts and contract rights, purchase orders, security interests, financing statements or other documentation in respect of such Receivables, any guarantees, indemnities, warranties or other obligations in respect of such Receivables, and any collections or proceeds of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Related Assets”), directly to one or more purchasers (other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary); it being understood that a Permitted Receivables Factoring may involve periodic sales, conveyances, and transfers of Receivables and Related Assets and/or transactions in which new Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, are sold, conveyed, or transferred, provided that any such transactions shall provide for recourse to such Subsidiary or the Borrower (as applicable) only in respect of the cash flows in respect of such Receivables and Related Assets and to the extent of breaches of representations and warranties or covenants relating to the Receivables, dilution of the Receivables, customary disputes and deductions, and customary indemnities and other customary undertakings in the jurisdiction relevant to such factoring transactions; and provided further that the aggregate principal amount of Permitted Receivables Factoring shall not exceed $750,000,000 at any time outstanding.
The “amount” or “principal amount” of any Permitted Receivables Factoring shall be deemed at any time to be the cash purchase price paid by the buyer in connection with its purchase of Receivables less the amount of collections received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of such Receivables and paid to such buyer, excluding any amounts applied to purchase fees or discount.
    “Permitted Secured Debt Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.02(g).
    “Permitted Subsidiary Debt Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(a)(ix).
    “Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
    “Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), which is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
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    “Platinum Lease Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Obligations”.
    “Platinum Leases” means, collectively, leasing arrangements with respect to platinum and other precious metals that are entered into from time to time by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of their business, including that certain Master Lease and Hedging Contracts Agreement for Precious Metals, dated as of April 25, 2008, between The Bank of Nova Scotia and STI, and any associated Guarantee of STI’s obligations thereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, “Platinum Leases” shall include any Swap Agreement that is (x) entered into with the lessor (or any Affiliate thereof) under any leasing arrangement described in the immediately preceding sentence and (y) involves, or is settled by reference to, platinum or any other precious metal that is the subject of such leasing arrangement.
    “Promissory Notes” means any promissory notes delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including each Revolving Note and each Term Note.
    “Proposed Change” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(b).
“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
“QFC Credit Support” is defined in Section 9.17.
“Qualified CFC Holding Company” means, any Subsidiary substantially all of whose assets consists of Equity Interests of either (i) a CFC Subsidiary or (ii) another Qualified CFC Holding Company.
    “Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Guarantor that at the time of the relevant guaranty (or grant of the relevant security interest, as applicable) becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation, has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or otherwise constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a cross-guaranty pursuant to Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Quarterly Payment Date” means the last day of March, June, September and December, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.
“Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender or (c) any Issuing Bank, or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of the Borrower or any Loan Party under any Loan Document.
    “Receivables” means accounts receivable (including all rights to payment created by or arising from the sale of goods, leases of goods or the rendition of services, no matter how evidenced (including in the form of a chattel paper) and whether or not earned by performance.
    “Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv).
    “Related Assets” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Receivables Factoring”.
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    “Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
    “Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), or within any building, structure, facility or fixture subject to human occupation.
    “Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.
“Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate unused Commitments and outstanding Loans at such time.
    “Reset Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.05(a).
“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
    “Restricted Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests (other than any Cash Pay Preferred Equity) in STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancelation or termination of any Equity Interests in STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (b) any distribution or other payment (whether in cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof) under or in respect of any Deferred Compensation Plan.
“Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to any Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make the Revolving Loans hereunder in a maximum principal amount as set forth opposite such Lender’s name under the “Revolving Commitment” column on Schedule 2.01, and as thereafter modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Revolving Commitments as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date are set forth on Schedule 2.01 to this Agreement (as amended on such date), as such amount may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof (including pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04). A Lender shall not have any Revolving Commitment for Revolving Loans if the amount set forth for such Lender under the Revolving Commitment column is zero. As of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date the aggregate Revolving Commitment equaled $1,750,000,000.
“Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans at such time and (b) such Lender’s LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.
“Revolving Loan Lender” means any Lender that has a Revolving Commitment, and if the obligation to make Revolving Loans has terminated or been cancelled, then any Lender that is owed any Revolving Loan.
“Revolving Loans” is defined in clause (a) of Section 2.01.
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“Revolving Loan Percentage” means, relative to any Lender on any date, the percentage that such Lender’s Revolving Commitment bears to the Revolving Commitments of all Lenders on such date. If the obligation of Lenders to make Revolving Loans has expired or been terminated, then the Revolving Loan Percentage of a Lender on any date shall be the percentage that such Lender’s Revolving Exposure bears to the Revolving Exposure owing to all Lenders on such date.
“Revolving Note” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to any Lender in the form of Exhibit H (as such promissory note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Revolving Loan Lender resulting from outstanding Revolving Loans, and also means all other promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, Inc. and its successors.
    “Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country or territory which is the subject or target of broad, territorial Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic).
    “Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority; (b) any Person controlled by any such Person; or (c)(i) an agency of the government of a Sanctioned Country, (ii) an organization controlled by a Sanctioned Country, or (iii) a Person resident in a Sanctioned Country, to the extent subject to Sanctions.
    “Sanctions” is defined in Section 3.15(a).
“Scotiabank” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
    “SDST” means Seagate Data Storage Technology, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands.
“Seagate Technology (US)” means Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Seagate UC” means Seagate Technology Unlimited Company, an unlimited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (f/k/a Seagate Technology public limited company).
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
“Second Amendment” means the Second Amendment and Joinder Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2019, among STX, the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.
“Second Amendment Effective Date” is defined in the Second Amendment.
“Senior Notes” means, collectively, (i) the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2023, (ii) the 4.875% Senior Notes due 2024, (iii) the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025, (iv) the 4.875% Senior Notes due 2027, (v) the 5.75% Senior Notes due 2034, (vi) 3.125% Senior Notes due 2029, (vii) 4.091% Senior Notes due 2029, (viii) 3.375% Senior Notes due 2031, (ix) 4.125% Senior Notes due
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2031 and (x) unsecured notes issued by the Borrower or STX following the Effective Date, and in the case of clauses (i) through (x), the Indebtedness represented thereby (including any respective Parent Guarantees and the Exchange Notes (each as defined in the Senior Note Documents), the respective guarantees of the Exchange Notes, and any replacement notes, or other similar or replacement guarantees), provided, that in the case of clause (x), both before and after giving effect to the incurrence of Indebtedness thereunder, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom (including under Sections 6.11, 6.12, or 6.13, on a pro forma basis).
    “Senior Note Documents” means the indentures under which the Senior Notes are issued and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing the Senior Notes or providing for any Guarantees in respect thereof from STX, Seagate UC, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, as applicable.
    “Sixth Amendment” means the Sixth Amendment, dated as of August 18, 2022, to this Agreement, among the Borrower, STX, the Lenders party thereto, and the Administrative Agent.
“Sixth Amendment Effective Date” is defined in the Sixth Amendment.
“SOFR” means, with respect to any day, the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR Borrowing” means, as to any Borrowing, the SOFR Loans comprising such Borrowing.
“SOFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted Term SOFR, other than pursuant to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate”.
    “SPV” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(h).
    “ST” means Seagate Technology, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
    “STI” means Seagate Technology International, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.
    “STX” means, except as otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document, (i) at all times, and with respect to all events, actions or circumstances, prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, Seagate UC, and (ii) on and following the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, Seagate Technology Holdings plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland.
“subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
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“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of STX or Seagate UC, as applicable, other than the Borrower.
“Subsidiary Loan Party” means any wholly-owned Subsidiary, except (a) any Immaterial Subsidiary, (b) [RESERVED], and (c) any Subsidiary that is not required to execute and deliver a Guarantee Agreement pursuant to the Guarantee Requirement or Section 5.13. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Subsidiary will be required to become a Subsidiary Loan Party if the Administrative Agent determines, taking into account all legal and practical considerations, that the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Finance Parties, will not be able to realize the benefits intended to be created by such Subsidiary’s Guarantee of the Obligations.
“Successor Transaction” is defined in clause (b) of the definition of “Change in Control.”
“Supported QFC” is defined in Section 9.17.
    “Swap” means any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
    “Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be a Swap Agreement.
    “Swap Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in clause (b) of the definition of the term “Obligations.”
    “Swingline Commitment” means the commitment of the Swingline Lenders to make Swingline Loans.
    “Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.
    “Swingline Lenders” means, as the context may require, (a) Scotiabank, with respect to Swingline Loans made by it, and (b) any other Lender that becomes a Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(d), with respect to Swingline Loans made by it, and, in each case, its successors in such capacity.
    “Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.
    “Syndication Agent” means the Lender listed on Schedule 2.01 hereto, in its capacity as the Syndication Agent.
    “Taxes” means any and all current or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees, or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Term Loan A1” is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.01.
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“Term Loan A2” is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.01.
“Term Loan A3” is defined in clause (c) of Section 2.01.
“Term Loan A1 Lender” means any Lender that has a Commitment to make Term Loan A1, or if the obligation to make Term Loan A1 has terminated or been cancelled, then any Lender that is owed any Term Loan A1.
“Term Loan A2 Lender” means any Lender that has a Commitment to make Term Loan A2, or if the obligation to make Term Loan A2 has terminated or been cancelled, then any Lender that is owed any Term Loan A2.
“Term Loan A3 Lender” means any Lender that has a Commitment to make Term Loan A3, or if the obligation to make Term Loan A3 has terminated or been cancelled, then any Lender that is owed any Term Loan A3.
“Term Loan Commitment” means, with respect to any Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make the applicable Class of Term Loans hereunder in a maximum principal amount as set forth opposite such Lender’s name under the “Term Loan Commitment” column on Schedule 2.01, and as thereafter modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Term Loan Commitments as of the Sixth Amendment Effective Date are set forth on Schedule 2.01 to this Agreement (as amended on such date). A Lender shall not have any Term Loan Commitment for a Class of Term Loans if the amount set forth for such Lender under the applicable Class of “Term Loan Commitment” column is zero.
“Term Loan Lender” means, as the context may require, a Term Loan A1 Lender, a Term Loan A2 Lender or a Term Loan A3 Lender.
“Term Loan Percentage” means, relative to any Lender on any date, a percentage expressed as the sum of such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment of a particular Class of Term Loans and principal amount of outstanding Term Loans of such Class owing to such Lender to the sum of the Term Loan Commitments of all Lenders in that Class of Term Loans and principal amount of outstanding Term Loans of such Class of all Lenders on such date. If the obligation of Lenders to make Term Loans has expired or been terminated, then the Term Loan Percentage of a Lender on any date shall be the percentage that the outstanding principal amount of Term Loans of a particular Class owing to such Lender bears to the outstanding principal amount of Term Loans of such Class owing to all Lenders on such date.
“Term Loans” is defined in clause (c) of Section 2.01 and a “Term Loan” is a loan made pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) of Section 2.01.
“Term Note A1” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to any Lender in the form of Exhibit I-1 (as such promissory note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from outstanding Term Loan A1, and also means all other promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.
“Term Note A2” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to any Lender in the form of Exhibit I-2 (as such promissory note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from outstanding Term Loan A2, and also means all other promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.
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“Term Note A3” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to any Lender in the form of Exhibit I-3 (as such promissory note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from outstanding Term Loan A3, and also means all other promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.
“Term Note” means, as the context may require, a Term Note A1, a Term Note A2 or a Term Note A3.
“Term SOFR” means:
(a)    for any calculation with respect to a SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided that if as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day; and
(b)    for any calculation with respect to an ABR Loan on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one month on the day (such day, the “ABR Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided that if as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on any ABR Term SOFR Determination Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such ABR SOFR Determination Day.
“Term SOFR Adjustment” means for any calculation with respect to an ABR Loan or a SOFR Loan, 0.10% per annum.
“Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).
“Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.
“Third Amendment” means the Third Amendment, dated as of January 13, 2021, to this Agreement, among the Borrower, STX, the Lenders party thereto, and the Administrative Agent.
“Third Amendment Effective Date” is defined in the Third Amendment.
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“Total Leverage Ratio” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Funded Indebtedness as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of STX ended on such date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01.
    “Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR or the Alternate Base Rate.
“UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
    “USA PATRIOT Act” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.15.
    “U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
    “U.S. Guarantee Agreement” means the U.S. Guarantee Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.
    “U.S. Loan Parties” means any Loan Parties that are organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” is defined in Section 9.17.
    “U.S. Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
“Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Equity Interests of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
    “wholly-owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person at any date, a subsidiary of such Person of which securities or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by such Person or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person.
    “Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
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    “Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (i) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (ii) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings
For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan” or “Term Loan A1”) or by Type (e.g., a “SOFR Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “SOFR Revolving Loan” or “SOFR Term Loan A1”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “SOFR Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “SOFR Revolving Borrowing”).
SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally
The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, amendments and restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time, provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision (including any definition) hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. For the purposes of determining compliance under Section 6.01, Section 6.02, Section 6.04, Section 6.05, Section 6.07, Section 6.08, Section 6.11, Section 6.12 and
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Section 6.13 with respect to any amount in a currency other than dollars, such amount shall be deemed to equal the Dollar Equivalent thereof (determined in good faith by the Borrower) at the time such amount was incurred or expended, as the case may be. Notwithstanding any changes in GAAP, any lease of STX and its subsidiaries that would be characterized as an operating lease under GAAP applied on a basis consistent with those used in preparing the financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 29, 2018 (whether that lease is entered into before or after the Effective Date) will not constitute a Capital Lease Obligation under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as a result of those changes in GAAP unless otherwise agreed to in writing by STX and the Required Lenders. Consolidated Cash Interest Expense, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Net Income for any period shall be determined by aggregating (without duplication) the results of Seagate UC and its Subsidiaries for all relevant periods ending prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date (determined in accordance with such definitions and as if the references to “STX” therein are to Seagate UC) with those of Seagate Technology Holdings PLC and its Subsidiaries for all periods ending on or after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date.
SECTION 1.05 Exchange Rates.
(a) Not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Calculation Date, the Administrative Agent shall (i) determine the Exchange Rate as of such Calculation Date to be used for calculating the Dollar Equivalent amounts of each Alternative Currency in which an outstanding Alternative Currency Letter of Credit or unreimbursed LC Disbursement is denominated and (ii) give notice thereof to the Borrower. The Exchange Rates so determined shall become effective on the first Business Day immediately following the relevant Calculation Date (a “Reset Date”), shall remain effective until the next succeeding Reset Date and shall for all purposes of this Agreement (other than as set forth in Section 2.05(b) and other than converting into dollars under Sections 2.05(d), (e), (h), (j) and (k) and 2.12(b) the obligations of the Borrower and the Lenders in respect of LC Disbursements that have not been reimbursed when due) be the Exchange Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies.
(b) Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Reset Date, the Administrative Agent shall (i) determine the Alternative Currency LC Exposure on such date (after giving effect to any Alternative Currency Letters of Credit issued, renewed or terminated or requested to be issued, renewed or terminated on such date) and (ii) notify the Borrower and each Issuing Bank of the results of such determination.
SECTION 1.06 Divisions
For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interest at such time.
ARTICLE II

The Credits
SECTION 2.01 Commitments
The following terms shall govern a Lender’s obligation to make Loans to the Borrower.
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(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Loan Lender agrees to make loans (referred to as its “Revolving Loan”) in dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the applicable Availability Period in accordance with its Revolving Loan Percentage, so long as the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans made by such Lender will not result in such Lender’s applicable Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term Loan A1 Lender agreed to make a loan (referred to as its “Term Loan A1”) and each Term Loan A2 Lender agreed to make a loan (referred to as its “Term Loan A2”) in dollars to the Borrower, in one Borrowing for each Tranche on the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, in accordance with its Term Loan Percentage, so long as the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Class of Term Loans made by such Lender did not exceed such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment for such Class of Term Loans. Once repaid or prepaid, Term Loan A1 and Term Loan A2 may not be reborrowed.
(c) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term Loan A3 Lender agrees to make a loan (referred to as its “Term Loan A3,” and together with the Term Loan A1 and Term Loan A2, collectively referred to as the “Term Loans”) in dollars to the Borrower, in one Borrowing on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, in accordance with its Term Loan Percentage, so long as the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Class of Term Loans made by such Lender will not exceed such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment for such Class of Term Loans. Once repaid or prepaid, Term Loan A3 may not be reborrowed.
SECTION 2.02 Loans and Borrowings
(a) Each Revolving Loan or Term Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing for such Loans, consisting of Loans of the same Type and Class made by the applicable Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments for the requested Class of Loans to be borrowed, and the Borrower may request, in its discretion, (i) Revolving Loans to be made, (ii) Term Loans to be made as Term Loan A1 or Term Loan A2 or a combination thereof or (iii) Term Loans to be made as Term Loan A3. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder, provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.
(b) Subject to Section 2.13, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or SOFR Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any SOFR Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan, provided that (i) any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (ii) the Borrower shall not be required to make any greater payment under Section 2.14 or Section 2.16 to the applicable Lender than such Lender would have been entitled to receive if such Lender had not exercised such option.
(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any SOFR Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000, provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is
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equal to the entire unused balance of the aggregate Revolving Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e). Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time, provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 15 SOFR Borrowings outstanding.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date applicable for such Loan.
SECTION 2.03 Requests for Borrowings
To request a Borrowing of Revolving Loans or of Term Loans the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing, provided that any such notice of an ABR Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e) may be given not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) the aggregate amount, and the applicable Class, of the requested Borrowing;
(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a SOFR Borrowing;
(iv) in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and
(v) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.06.
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested SOFR Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
SECTION 2.04 Swingline Loans
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(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans of all Swingline Lenders exceeding $50,000,000 or (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments, provided that no Swingline Lender shall be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan, and by requesting a Swingline Loan the Borrower shall be deemed to be representing to each Swingline Lender that the terms set forth in clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above are true and correct on the date of the requested Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.
(b) To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of such proposed Swingline Loan and which Swingline Lender is to make the requested Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the Borrower maintained with such Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e), by remittance to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that the Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.05(e) to reimburse the Issuing Bank, to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear) by 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.
(c) Each Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:30 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans made by it and then outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this clause is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender shall comply with its obligation under this clause by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender that has made the applicable demand the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this clause, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the applicable Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by such Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by such Swingline Lender of the proceeds of
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a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this clause and to such Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear, provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to such Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this clause shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.
(d) Additional Swingline Lenders. The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and such Lender, designate one or more additional Lenders to act as a Swingline Lender under the terms of this Agreement, provided that the total number of Lenders so designated at any time shall not exceed five. Any Lender designated as a Swingline Lender pursuant to this clause (d) shall be deemed to be a “Swingline Lender” for the purposes of this Agreement (in addition to being a Lender) with respect to Swingline Loans made by such Lender.
SECTION 2.05 Letters of Credit
.
(a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit for its own account, pursuant to an Issuance Request or such other form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank that has been requested to issue a Letter of Credit, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period and prior to the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to such Issuing Bank’s Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.
(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank that has been requested to issue a Letter of Credit) to such Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) an Issuance Request or other notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with clause (c) of this Section 2.05), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the currency in which such Letter of Credit is to be denominated (which shall be dollars or, subject to Section 2.19, an Alternative Currency), the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by an Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC
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Exposure shall not exceed $75,000,000 and (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposures shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.
(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i)(A) the date that is one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after the date of such renewal or extension) or (B) such other date mutually agreed upon by the Issuing Bank that issued such Letter of Credit and the Borrower (but in no event shall such date be later than as provided in clause (ii) of this clause (c)) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.
(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of any Issuing Bank or the Lenders, each Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Loan Lender, and each Revolving Loan Lender hereby acquires from each Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Loan Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Loan Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in dollars, for the account of each Issuing Bank, such Revolving Loan Lender’s Applicable Percentage of (i) each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank in dollars and (ii) the Dollar Equivalent, using the Exchange Rates on the date such payment is required, of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank in an Alternative Currency and, in each case, not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in clause (e) of this Section 2.05, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason (or, if such reimbursement payment was refunded in an Alternative Currency, the Dollar Equivalent thereof using the Exchange Rates on the date of such refund). Each Revolving Loan Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this clause in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.
(e) Reimbursement. If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement, in dollars or (subject to the two immediately succeeding sentences) the applicable Alternative Currency, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately following the date on which the Borrower receives notice of such LC Disbursement, provided that, in the case of any LC Disbursement made in dollars, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or Section 2.04 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrower’s reimbursement of, or obligation to reimburse, any amounts in any Alternative Currency would subject the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to any stamp duty, ad valorem charge or similar tax that would not be payable if such reimbursement were made or required to be made in dollars, the Borrower shall reimburse each LC Disbursement made in such Alternative Currency in dollars, in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent, calculated using the applicable Exchange Rate on the date such LC Disbursement is made, of such LC Disbursement. If the Borrower fails
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to make such payment when due, then (i) if such payment relates to an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, automatically and with no further action required, the Borrower’s obligation to reimburse the applicable LC Disbursement shall be permanently converted into an obligation to reimburse the Dollar Equivalent, calculated using the Exchange Rates on the date when such payment was due, of such LC Disbursement and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Issuing Bank and each Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the Dollar Equivalent thereof (if such LC Disbursement relates to an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit), the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent in dollars its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower (determined as provided in clause (i) above, if such payment relates to an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit), in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank in dollars the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this clause, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to such Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this clause to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this clause to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.
(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in clause (e) of this Section 2.05 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, any application for the issuance of a Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by any Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.05, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, any Issuing Bank or any of their respective Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of any Issuing Bank, provided that the foregoing provisions of this clause (f) shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by (A) such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms
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thereof or (B) such Issuing Bank’s failure to issue a Letter of Credit in accordance with the terms of this Agreement when requested by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.05(b). The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of an Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination and each issuance of (or failure to issue) a Letter of Credit. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, each the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
(g) Disbursement Procedures. Each Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit issued by it. Each Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder, provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement in accordance with clause (e) of this Section 2.05.
(h) Interim Interest. If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans, provided that if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to clause (e) of this Section 2.05, then Section 2.12(c) shall apply, provided further that, in the case of any LC Disbursement made under an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, the amount of interest due with respect thereto shall (i) in the case of any LC Disbursement that is reimbursed on or before the Business Day immediately succeeding such LC Disbursement, (A) be payable in the applicable Alternative Currency and (B) bear interest at a rate equal to the rate reasonably determined by the applicable Issuing Bank to be the cost to such Issuing Bank of funding such LC Disbursement plus the Applicable Margin applicable to SOFR Loans at such time and (ii) in the case of any LC Disbursement that is reimbursed after the Business Day immediately succeeding such LC Disbursement, (A) be payable in dollars, (B) accrue on the Dollar Equivalent, calculated using the Exchange Rates on the date such LC Disbursement was made, of such LC Disbursement and (C) bear interest at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans, subject to Section 2.12(c). Interest accrued pursuant to this clause shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to clause (e) of this Section 2.05 to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
(i) Replacement of an Issuing Bank. Any Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank and by notifying the Administrative Agent of such replacement. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of any Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.11(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the
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successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
(j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this clause, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount in dollars and in cash equal to the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, provided that (i) the portions of such amount attributable to undrawn Alternative Currency Letters of Credit or LC Disbursements in an Alternative Currency that the Borrower is not late in reimbursing shall be deposited in the applicable Alternative Currencies in the actual amounts of such undrawn Letters of Credit and LC Disbursements and (ii) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable in dollars, without demand or other notice of any kind. For the purposes of this clause, the Alternative Currency LC Exposure shall be calculated using the Exchange Rates on the date that notice demanding cash collateralization is delivered to the Borrower. The Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this clause as and to the extent required by Section 2.10(b). Each such deposit pursuant to this clause or pursuant to Section 2.10(b) shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.10(b), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as and to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Borrower would remain in compliance with Section 2.10(b) and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(k) Conversion. In the event that the Loans become immediately due and payable on any date pursuant to Section 7.01, all amounts (i) that the Borrower is at the time or thereafter becomes required to reimburse or otherwise pay to the Administrative Agent in respect of LC Disbursements made under any Alternative Currency Letter of Credit (other than amounts in respect of which the Borrower has deposited cash collateral
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pursuant to Section 2.05(j), if such cash collateral was deposited in the applicable Alternative Currency to the extent so deposited or applied), (ii) that the Lenders are at the time or thereafter become required to pay to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent is at the time or thereafter becomes required to distribute to the applicable Issuing Bank pursuant to clause (e) of this Section 2.05 in respect of unreimbursed LC Disbursements made under any Alternative Currency Letter of Credit and (iii) of each Lender’s participation in any Alternative Currency Letter of Credit under which an LC Disbursement has been made shall, automatically and with no further action required, be converted into the Dollar Equivalent, calculated using the Exchange Rates on such date (or in the case of any LC Disbursement made after such date, on the date such LC Disbursement is made), of such amounts. On and after such conversion, all amounts accruing and owed to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in respect of the obligations described in this clause shall accrue and be payable in dollars at the rates otherwise applicable hereunder.
(l) Additional Issuing Banks. The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and such Lender, designate one or more additional Lenders to act as an Issuing Bank under the terms of this Agreement, provided that the total number of Lenders so designated at any time shall not exceed five. Any Lender designated as an Issuing Bank pursuant to this clause (l) shall be deemed to be an “Issuing Bank” for the purposes of this Agreement (in addition to being a Lender) with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Lender.
(m) Reporting. Each Issuing Bank will report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) on the first Business Day of each week, the aggregate face amount of Letters of Credit issued by it and outstanding as of the last Business Day of the preceding week, (ii) on or prior to each Business Day on which an Issuing Bank expects to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance or amendment and the aggregate face amount of Letters of Credit to be issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (and such Issuing Bank shall advise the Administrative Agent on such Business Day whether such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension occurred and whether the amount thereof changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which an Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date of such LC Disbursement and the amount of such LC Disbursement and (iv) on any Business Day on which the Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and amount of such LC Disbursement.
SECTION 2.06 Funding of Borrowings
(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders, provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request, provided that ABR Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to
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Section 2.05(e) to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with clause (a) of this Section 2.06 and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.
(c) Nothing in this Section 2.06 shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by any such Lender hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its Commitments hereunder).
SECTION 2.07 Interest Elections
(a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03 and, in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a SOFR Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.07. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section 2.07 shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.
(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.07, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request.
(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
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(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a SOFR Borrowing; and
(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a SOFR Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.
If any such Interest Election Request requests a SOFR Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a SOFR Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a SOFR Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each SOFR Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
SECTION 2.08 Termination and Reduction of Commitments.
(a) Unless previously terminated, the Commitments of Revolving Loans shall terminate on the Maturity Date for Revolving Loans.
(b) The Borrower may, without premium or penalty, at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, in its sole discretion the Commitments of any Class, provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 (or if less, the remaining Commitments of such Class) and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the aggregate Revolving Exposures would exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.
(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under clause (b) of this Section 2.08 at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice
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delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.08 shall be irrevocable, provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments. Each reduction of the Term Loan Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Term Loan Commitments of that Class.
SECTION 2.09 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt
(a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender on the Maturity Date applicable to Revolving Loans and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Maturity Date corresponding to Revolving Loans and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least five Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made, provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans that were outstanding on the date such Borrowing was requested.
(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof, which accounts the Administrative Agent will make available to the Borrower upon its reasonable request.
(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to clause (b) or (c) of this Section 2.09 shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein, provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans and pay interest thereon in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(e) Any Lender may request that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a Promissory Note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns). Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more Promissory Notes payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such Promissory Note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).
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SECTION 2.10 Prepayment and Repayment of Loans.
(a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.15), subject to the requirements of this Section 2.10.
(b) In the event and on each occasion that the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings, or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(j), in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.
(c) Prior to any optional or mandatory prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings of the particular Class to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment pursuant to clause (d) of this Section 2.10.
(d) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lenders) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a SOFR Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid, provided that, if a notice of optional prepayment of any Loans is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.08 or in contemplation of the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other refinancing transaction, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.08 or if the contemplated credit facilities or other refinancing transaction are not funded. Promptly following receipt of any such notice (other than a notice relating solely to Swingline Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment. Each prepayment of a portion of any Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.12.










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(e) On each Quarterly Payment Date occurring during any period set forth below and on the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall make a scheduled repayment of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loan A1 in an amount equal to that set forth below opposite such Quarterly Payment Date or the Maturity Date in respect of Term Loan A1, as applicable:
Period
Amount of Required Principal Repayment
Fifth Amendment Effective Date through (and including) 09/30/22$0.00
12/31/22 through (and including) 09/30/24$7,500,000.00
12/31/24 through (and including)
06/30/25
$11,250,000.00
Maturity Date for Term Loan A1The then outstanding principal amount of Term Loan A1




















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(f) On each Quarterly Payment Date occurring during any period set forth below and on the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall make a scheduled repayment of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loan A2 in an amount equal to that set forth below opposite such Quarterly Payment Date or the Maturity Date in respect of Term Loan A2, as applicable:
Period
Amount of Required Principal Repayment
Fifth Amendment Effective Date through (and including) 09/30/22$0.00
12/31/22 through (and including) 09/30/24$7,500,000.00
12/31/24 through (and including)
09/30/25
$11,250,000.00
12/31/25 through (and including)
06/30/27

Maturity Date for Term Loan A2
$15,000,000.00


The then outstanding principal amount of Term Loan A2

















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(g) On each Quarterly Payment Date occurring during any period set forth below and on the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall make a scheduled repayment of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loan A3 in an amount equal to that set forth below opposite such Quarterly Payment Date or the Maturity Date in respect of Term Loan A3, as applicable:
Period
Amount of Required Principal Repayment
12/31/22 through (and including) 06/30/23$7,500,000.00
09/30/23 through (and including) 06/30/24$13,500,000.00
09/30/24 through (and including)
06/30/26
$16,500,000.00
09/30/26 through (and including)
06/30/27

Maturity Date for Term Loan A3
$21,000,000.00


The then outstanding principal amount of Term Loan A3

SECTION 2.11 Fees
(a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Loan Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the applicable Commitment Fee Rate set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin on the average daily unused amount of the applicable Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Revolving Commitment terminates or expires. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the third Business Day following the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the applicable Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of computing commitment fees, a Revolving Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Swingline Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose).
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(b) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Loan Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Margin used to determine the interest rate applicable to SOFR Loans of Revolving Loans to which such Lender has a Revolving Commitment on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate or rates per annum separately agreed upon between the Borrower and such Issuing Bank on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date, provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which any Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after such date on which Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this clause shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of computing the average daily amount of the Revolving Exposure for Revolving Commitments for any period under this Section 2.11(b), the average daily amount of the Alternative Currency LC Exposure for such period shall be calculated by multiplying (x) the average daily balance of each Alternative Currency Letter of Credit (expressed in the currency in which such Alternative Currency Letter of Credit or Loans are denominated) by (y) the Exchange Rate for each such Alternative Currency in effect on the last Business Day of such period or by such other reasonable method that the Administrative Agent deems appropriate.
(c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon in the Fee Letter between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds in dollars, to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders entitled thereto. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
SECTION 2.12 Interest
(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.
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(b) The Loans comprising each SOFR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted Term SOFR for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding clauses of this Section 2.12 or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2.00% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in clause (a) of this Section 2.12.
(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears (i) on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and (ii) in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments, provided that (A) interest accrued pursuant to clause (d) of this Section 2.12 shall be payable on demand, (B) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the applicable Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (C) in the event of any conversion of any SOFR Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.
(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof, and such determination shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
SECTION 2.13 Inability to Determine Rates
Subject to Section 2.24, if, on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any SOFR Loan:
(a)    the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that “Adjusted Term SOFR” cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof, or
(b)    the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a SOFR Loan or a conversion thereto or a continuation thereof that Adjusted Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed SOFR Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making and maintaining such Loan, and the Required Lenders have provided notice of such determination to the Administrative Agent,
then, in each case, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender.

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Upon notice thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, any obligation of the Lenders to make SOFR Loans, and any right of the Borrower to continue SOFR Loans or to convert ABR Loans to SOFR Loans, shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or affected Interest Periods) until the Administrative Agent (with respect to clause (b), at the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or affected Interest Periods) or, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans in the amount specified therein and (ii) any outstanding affected SOFR Loans will be deemed to have been converted into ABR Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. Upon any such conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.16. Subject to Section 2.24, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that “Adjusted Term SOFR” cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof on any given day, the interest rate on ABR Loans shall be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate” until the Administrative Agent revokes such determination.
SECTION 2.14 Increased Costs
(a) If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or the Issuing Bank;
(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or such Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) If any Change in Law regarding capital requirements or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on any Lender’s or any Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such
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Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered; provided that to the extent any increased costs or reductions are incurred by any Lender as a result of any requests, rules, guidelines, or directives promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or pursuant to Basel III after the Effective Date, then such Lender shall be compensated pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) only if such Lender imposes such charges under other syndicated credit facilities involving similarly situated borrowers.
(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in clause (a) or (b) of this Section 2.14, and setting forth in reasonable detail the basis on which such amount or amounts were calculated and stating that such calculation has been made in a manner consistent with the treatment given by such Lender or Issuing Bank to similar businesses in similar circumstances, shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be prima facie evidence thereof. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.14 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; and provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
SECTION 2.15 Break Funding Payments
In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any SOFR Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.10(d) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each applicable Lender for the loss (other than lost profits), cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a SOFR Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount reasonably determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted Term SOFR that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate that such Lender would bid were it to bid, at
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the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.15, and setting forth in reasonable detail the basis on which such amount or amounts were calculated, shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be prima facie evidence thereof. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt thereof.
SECTION 2.16 Taxes
(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law; provided that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Taxes from such payments, then the Borrower shall make such deductions and pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if any such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions or withholdings (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.16) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes payable or paid or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.16) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or an Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, containing a reasonably detailed description of such payment or liability shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(h) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) the full amount of any Excluded Taxes (and any related penalties, interest or
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expense) paid by the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment to or for the account of such Lender by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document, whether or not such Excluded Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by any Issuing Bank or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Issuing Bank shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(f) Any Lender (or Participant) that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or under any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation was purchased), at the time or times requested by the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate. In addition, each Lender (or Participant) shall deliver substitute forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Lender (or Participant). In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding three sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation shall not be required if in the Lender’s (or Participant’s) reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender (or Participant) to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender (or Participant).
(g) If the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.16, which the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank is able to identify as such, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 2.16 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided, however, that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank in the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the Administrative Agent, Lender, or Issuing Bank be required to pay any amount to a Borrower pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the Administrative Agent, Lender, or Issuing Bank in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Administrative Agent, Lender, or Issuing Bank would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. Nothing contained in this clause shall require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank to make available its tax
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returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.
(h) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code), and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA and to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause, “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Credit Agreement. Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(i) Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.16 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.
SECTION 2.17 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs
(a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.14, Section 2.15 or Section 2.16, or otherwise) prior to the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at The Bank of Nova Scotia, GWS Loan Operations, 720 King Street West, 2nd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2T3, Attn: U.S. Agency Loan Operations, except payments to be made directly to any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Section 2.14, Section 2.15, Section 2.16 and Section 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to any other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified therein. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment under any Loan Document shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. Except as provided in Section 2.05(e), all payments under each Loan Document shall be made in dollars.
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(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder (including if any amounts are received as a result of the exercise of remedies under the Loan Documents) such funds shall be applied (i) first to the payment of all Obligations owing to the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent (including the fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent), (ii) second, towards payment of interest (including interest accruing after the commencement of a proceeding in bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, whether or not permitted as a claim under such law), fees and expenses then due hereunder or another Loan Document, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest, fees and expenses then due to such parties, (iii) third, towards payment of principal of Loans and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, to the cash collateralization for contingent liabilities under Letters of Credit outstanding and to amounts owing under Cash Management Obligations, Swap Obligations and Platinum Lease Obligations, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal of Loans, unreimbursed LC Disbursements and contingent liabilities under Letters of Credit, and amounts owing under Cash Management Obligations, Swap Obligations and Platinum Lease Obligations then due to such parties, and (iv) fourth, towards the payment of all other Obligations then due and owing to the Finance Parties, ratably among the Persons entitled thereto in accordance with the amount of other Obligations then due to such Persons.
(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this clause shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this clause shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amounts set off with respect to any Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or an Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption,
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distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), Section 2.05(d), Section 2.05(e), Section 2.06(b), Section 2.17(d) or Section 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
SECTION 2.18 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders
(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.14 or 2.16, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank (which consent (x) shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and (y) in the case of any consent required by any Issuing Bank, shall be deemed to have been given in the event that such Issuing Bank fails to respond in writing to a request for written consent within two Business Days of receipt thereof), (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in a material reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if,
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prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Nothing in this Section 2.18 shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by any such Lender in its obligations to fund Loans hereunder.
SECTION 2.19 Change in Law
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if, after the date hereof, (i) any Change in Law shall make it unlawful for any Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, or (ii) there shall have occurred any change in national or international financial, political or economic conditions (including the imposition of or any change in exchange controls) or currency exchange rates that would make it impracticable for any Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit denominated in such Alternative Currency for the account of the Borrower, then by prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such circumstances no longer exist), such Issuing Bank may declare that Letters of Credit will not thereafter be issued by it in the affected Alternative Currency or Alternative Currencies, whereupon the affected Alternative Currency or Alternative Currencies shall be deemed (for the duration of such declaration) not to constitute an Alternative Currency for purposes of the issuance of Letters of Credit by such Issuing Bank.
SECTION 2.20 [RESERVED].
SECTION 2.21 Incremental Loans.
(a) At any time and from time to time during the Availability Period, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may, by notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders), elect to request the establishment of:
(i) one or more incremental term loan commitments (any such incremental term loan commitment, an “Incremental Term Loan Commitment”) to make one or more additional term loans (any such additional term loan, an “Incremental Term Loan”); or
(ii) one or more increases in the Revolving Loan Commitments (any such increase, an “Incremental Revolving Loan Commitment” and, together with the Incremental Term Loan Commitments, the “Incremental Loan Commitments”) to make revolving loans under the Revolving Loan Facility (any such increase, an “Incremental Revolving Loan Increase” and, together with the Incremental Term Loans, the “Incremental Loans”);
provided that at the time of each such request and upon the effectiveness of each Incremental Amendment, (A) no Default has occurred and is continuing or shall result therefrom and (B) the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect set forth in clause (A) above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (1) the total aggregate principal amount for all such Incremental Loan Commitments shall not (as of any date of incurrence thereof) exceed $100,000,000 and (2) the total aggregate amount for each Incremental Loan Commitment (and the Incremental Loans made thereunder) shall not be less than a minimum principal amount of $10,000,000 or, if less, the remaining amount permitted pursuant to the foregoing clause (1).
(b) Each notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.21 shall set forth the requested amount of the relevant Incremental Loan Commitment. Any additional bank,
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financial institution, existing Lender or other Person that elects to provide a portion of any Incremental Loan Commitment shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and with respect to Incremental Revolving Loan Commitments, each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank (any such bank, financial institution, existing Lender or other Person being called an “Incremental Lender”) and, if not already a Lender, shall become a Lender under this Agreement pursuant to an Incremental Amendment. Each Incremental Loan Commitment shall be effected by an amendment (an “Incremental Amendment”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by STX, the Borrower, such Incremental Lender and the Administrative Agent. No Lender shall be obligated to provide any Incremental Loan Commitment, unless it so agrees.
(c) Commitments in respect of any (i) Incremental Revolving Loan Commitment shall become Revolving Commitments (or in the case of any Incremental Revolving Loan Commitment to be provided by an existing Lender, an increase in such Lender’s Revolving Commitment) under this Agreement and (ii) Incremental Term Loan Commitment shall be a Term Loan Commitment (and a separate facility under this Agreement. An Incremental Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to any Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.21. The effectiveness of any Incremental Amendment shall, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the Incremental Lenders, be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof (each, an “Incremental Closing Date”) of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (it being understood that all references to “the date of such Borrowing” in Section 4.02 shall be deemed to refer to the Incremental Closing Date). The proceeds of any Incremental Loans made pursuant to Incremental Loan Commitments will be used only for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its subsidiaries.
(d) Upon each Incremental Revolving Loan Increase pursuant to this Section 2.21, (i) each Lender immediately prior to such increase will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assigned to each Incremental Lender, and each Incremental Lender will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assumed, a portion of such Lender’s participations hereunder in outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans such that, after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Loan Increase and each such deemed assignment and assumption of participations, the percentage of the aggregate outstanding (A) participations hereunder in Letters of Credit and (B) participations hereunder in Swingline Loans held by each Lender (including each Incremental Lender) will equal such Lender’s Applicable Percentage and (ii) if, on the date of such Incremental Revolving Loan Increase, there are any Revolving Loans outstanding, such Revolving Loans shall be prepaid from the proceeds of additional Revolving Loans made hereunder (reflecting such Incremental Revolving Loan Increase), which prepayment shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the Revolving Loans being prepaid and any costs incurred by any Lender in accordance with Section 2.15. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the minimum borrowing, pro rata borrowing and pro rata payment requirements contained elsewhere in this Agreement shall not apply to the transactions effected pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.
SECTION 2.22 Defaulting Lenders
(a) If a Lender becomes, and during the period it remains, a Defaulting Lender, the following provisions shall apply, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:
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(i) the applicable LC Exposure(s) and applicable Swingline Exposure(s) of such Defaulting Lender will, subject to the limitation in the first proviso below, automatically be reallocated (effective on the day such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender) among the Non-Defaulting Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages, provided that (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the sum of each Non-Defaulting Lender’s total Revolving Exposure may not in any event exceed the Revolving Commitment of such Non-Defaulting Lender as in effect at the time of such reallocation and (c) neither such reallocation nor any payment by a Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant thereto will constitute a waiver or release of any claim the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any other Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender or cause such Defaulting Lender to be a Non-Defaulting Lender;
(ii) to the extent that any portion (the “unreallocated portion”) of the LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure of any Defaulting Lender cannot be so reallocated for any reason, the Borrower will, not later than two Business Days after demand by the Administrative Agent (at the direction of any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender), (a) Cash Collateralize the obligations of the Borrower to such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender in respect of such LC Exposure or Swingline Exposure, as the case may be, in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the unreallocated portion of the LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure of such Defaulting Lender, or (b) in the case of such Swingline Loan exposure, prepay (subject to clause (v) below) and/or Cash Collateralize in full the unreallocated portion thereof, or (c) make other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuing Bank or the applicable Swingline Lender in their sole discretion to protect them against the risk of non-payment by such Defaulting Lender;
(iii) in addition to the other conditions precedent set forth in this Section, no Issuing Bank will be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, and no Swingline Lender will be required to make any Swingline Loans, unless they are satisfied that 100% of the related LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure is fully covered or eliminated by any combination satisfactory to the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lenders, as the case may be, of the following:
(A)    the LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure of such Defaulting Lender is reallocated, as to outstanding and future Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, to the Non-Defaulting Lenders as provided in clause (a)(i) above; and
(B)    without limiting the provisions of clause (a)(ii) above, the Borrower Cash Collateralizes the obligations of the Borrower in respect of such Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans in an amount at least equal to the aggregate amount of the unreallocated obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Defaulting Lender in respect of such Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans, or the Borrower makes other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank or the applicable Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in their sole discretion, to protect them against the risk of non-payment by such Defaulting Lender;
provided that (a) the sum of each Non-Defaulting Lender’s total Revolving Exposure may not in any event exceed the Revolving Commitment of such Non-Defaulting Lender, and (b) neither any such reallocation nor any payment by a
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Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant thereto nor any such Cash Collateralization or reduction will constitute a waiver or release of any claim the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender, or cause such Defaulting Lender to be a Non-Defaulting Lender;
(iv) with the written approval of the Required Lenders, the Borrower may terminate (on a non-ratable basis) the unused amount of the Revolving Commitment or Term Loan Commitment of a Defaulting Lender, and in such event the provisions of clause (v) below will apply to all amounts thereafter paid by the Borrower for the account of any such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnity or other amounts), provided that such termination will not be deemed to be a waiver or release of any claim the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender;
(v) any amount paid by the Borrower for the account of a Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnity payments or other amounts) will be retained by the Administrative Agent in a segregated non-interest bearing account until the termination of the Revolving Commitments at which time the funds in such account will be applied by the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in the following order of priority: first to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, second to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Banks or Swingline Lenders under this Agreement, third to the payment of post-default interest and then current interest due and payable to the Lenders hereunder other than Defaulting Lenders, ratably among them in accordance with the amounts of such interest then due and payable to them, fourth to the payment of fees then due and payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders hereunder, ratably among them in accordance with the amounts of such fees then due and payable to them, fifth to pay principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due and payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders hereunder ratably in accordance with the amounts thereof then due and payable to them, sixth to the ratable payment of other amounts then due and payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders, seventh to pay any amounts owing to the Loan Parties by such Defaulting Lender and eighth to pay amounts owing under this Agreement to such Defaulting Lender or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct;
(vi) except for the matters listed in Section 9.02(b)(i) through (b)(ix) directly applicable to such Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender will not (i) have the right to vote regarding any issue on which voting is required or advisable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and, with respect to any such Lender, the amount of the Revolving Commitment, Term Loan Commitment or Loans, as applicable, held by such Lender shall not be counted as outstanding for purposes of determining “Required Lenders” (in either the numerator or the denominator) hereunder, (ii) except as set forth in clause (v) immediately above, be entitled to receive any payments of principal, interest or fees from the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (or the other Lenders) in respect of Letters of Credit or its Loans (without prejudice to the rights of the Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders in respect of such fees), provided that (1) to the extent that a portion of the LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender is reallocated to the Non-Defaulting Lenders pursuant to clause (a)(ii), such fees that would have accrued for the benefit of such Defaulting Lender will instead accrue for the benefit of and
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be payable to such Non-Defaulting Lenders, pro rata in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments and (2) to the extent any portion of such LC Exposure cannot be so reallocated, unless such portion of such LC Exposure is Cash Collateralized, such fees will instead accrue for the benefit of and be payable to the Issuing Bank; and
(vii) the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Defaulting Lender and the Administrative Agent, in accordance with Section 2.18(b) and 9.04, require such Defaulting Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement.
(b) If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lenders agree in writing in their discretion that a Lender that is a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, as the case may be, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, the LC Exposure and the Swingline Exposure of the other Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment, and such Lender will purchase at par such portion of outstanding Revolving Loans of the other Lenders and/or make such other adjustments as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Revolving Exposure of the Lenders to be on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender and will be a Non-Defaulting Lender (and such Revolving Exposure of each Lender will automatically be adjusted on a prospective basis to reflect the foregoing) and if any cash collateral has been posted with respect to such Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will promptly return such cash collateral to the Borrower, provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while such Lender was a Defaulting Lender, and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Non-Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
SECTION 2.23 Maturity Date Extension
(a) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time, by notice to the Administrative Agent, propose an extension of the Maturity Date, which proposal may include a proposal to change the Applicable Margin (including any provisions in the definition thereof) as may be specified in such proposal. Upon receipt of any such proposal the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each applicable Lender thereof. Each applicable Lender shall respond to such proposal in writing within 30 calendar days after the date of such proposal and any failure of a Lender to respond within such period shall be deemed to be a rejection of such proposal. If any Lender consents to such proposal (each such consenting Lender, an “Extending Lender”), the Maturity Date applicable to each Extending Lender shall be extended to the date specified in the Borrower’s extension proposal and the Applicable Margin with respect to each such Extending Lender shall be adjusted in the manner specified in such proposal, if any, and each Non-Extending Lender will be treated as provided in Section 2.23(b).
(b) If any Lender does not consent to any extension request that becomes effective pursuant to Section 2.23(a) (each such Lender, a “Non-Extending Lender”), then the applicable Maturity Date for such Non-Extending Lender shall remain unchanged from that applicable prior to the extension and the Commitments of each Non-
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Extending Lender and the existing Applicable Margin shall continue in full force and effect.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.02(b), the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (and the Extending Lenders) shall be entitled to enter into any amendments to this Agreement that the Administrative Agent believes are necessary or appropriate to reflect, or to provide for the integration of, any extension of the Maturity Date or change in Applicable Margins pursuant to this Section 2.23 without the consent of any Non-Extending Lender.
SECTION 2.24 Benchmark Replacement Setting
(a) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the then-current Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all affected Lenders and the Borrower so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. No replacement of a Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 2.24(a) will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.
(b) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(c) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (ii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and (iii) (x) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 2.24(d) and (y) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.24, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.24.
(d) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (x) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference Rate) and either (i) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion
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or (ii) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (y) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (x) above either (i) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (ii) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(e) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, (i) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of SOFR Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans and (ii) any outstanding affected SOFR Loans will be deemed to have been converted to ABR Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. During a Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Alternate Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Alternate Base Rate.
ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties
    Each of STX and the Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders with respect to itself and its Subsidiaries that:
SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers
Each of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and (where such concept exists in any relevant jurisdiction) in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.
SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability
The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party are within its powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of STX and the Borrower and (solely for purposes of Section 9.09(d)) Seagate Technology (US) and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which each Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party (as the case may be), enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights
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generally and to general principles of equity and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts
The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by or before, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and filings and other actions necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents, and except where the failure to obtain such consent or approval or to make such registration or filing, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate any applicable law, regulation or any order of any Governmental Authority in any material respect or the memorandum and articles of association, constitution, charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of STX, the Borrower or any other Loan Party, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, material agreement or other material instrument binding upon STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, except for violations or payments that, individually and in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, except for Liens created under the Loan Documents.
SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change
(a) Seagate UC has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Seagate UC as of and for the fiscal year ended June 29, 2018 setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year and reported on by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, to the effect that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of Seagate UC, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
(b) Except as disclosed in the financial statements referred to in clause (a) above or the notes thereto and except for the Disclosed Matters, none of Seagate UC, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries has, as of the Effective Date after giving effect to any Revolving Loans made on such date, any material contingent liabilities, unusual long-term commitments or unrealized losses.
(c) Since June 29, 2018 there has been no material adverse change in the business, financial condition or results of operations of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
SECTION 3.05 Properties
(a) Each of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes and subject to the Liens permitted by Section 6.02.
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(b) Each of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually and in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters
(a) Except for the Disclosed Matters, there are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of STX or the Borrower, threatened against or affecting STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii)(A) that involve any of the Loan Documents or the execution, delivery and performance by STX, the Borrower or any other Loan Party thereof, (B) that are not frivolous and (C) if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to be adverse to the interests of the Lenders.
(b) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other matters that, individually and in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, none of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) is in violation of any applicable Environmental Law or any obligation to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any applicable Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis to reasonably expect the imposition of any Environmental Liability.
(c) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements
Each of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually and in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 3.08 Investment Company Status
None of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.
SECTION 3.09 Taxes
Each of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all federal, state, and other tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all federal state or other taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable and required to have been paid by it, except (a) any Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which STX, the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has
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set aside on its books adequate reserves that are being maintained in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.10 ERISA
No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Accounting Standards Codification No. 715: Compensation-Retirement Benefits) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans by an amount that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.11 Disclosure
The reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of STX, Seagate UC or the Borrower, as applicable, to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), taken as a whole, do not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading, provided that, (a) with respect to projected financial information, STX and the Borrower represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time and (b) with respect to information regarding the hard disc drive market and other industry data, STX and the Borrower represent only that such information was prepared by third-party industry research firms, and although STX and the Borrower believe such information is reliable, STX and the Borrower cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information and have not independently verified such information. As of the Effective Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification, to the knowledge of STX and the Borrower (if such certification was required to be delivered by the Administrative Agent) is true and correct in all respects.
SECTION 3.12 Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.12 sets forth the name of, and the ownership interest of Seagate UC, the Borrower and each subsidiary in, each other subsidiary, in each case as of the Effective Date.
SECTION 3.13 Insurance
As of the Effective Date, all premiums in respect of all material insurance maintained by or on behalf of Seagate UC, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries that are required to have been paid have been paid. STX and the Borrower believe that the insurance maintained by or on behalf of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is adequate in all material respects.
SECTION 3.14 Labor Matters
As of the Effective Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against Seagate UC, the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of Seagate UC or the Borrower, threatened that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as could not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been in
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violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters, (b) all payments due from STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of STX, the Borrower or such Subsidiary and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by STX and the Borrower will not give rise to any right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is bound.
SECTION 3.15 Sanctioned Persons, etc

(a) No Loan Party or any of its Affiliates or its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of any Loan Party, any director, officer, employee, agent, or Affiliate of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a Person that is, or is owned 50.0% or more, individually or in the aggregate, directly or indirectly or controlled by Persons that are (i) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the laws of Canada, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is a Sanctioned Country or otherwise the subject of Sanctions, including (as of the Effective Date), Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic. Each Loan Party and its Affiliates, and their respective directors and officers and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, the employees and agents of such Loan Parties and Affiliates, are in compliance with all applicable Sanctions and with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”) and any other applicable anti-corruption law and any applicable anti-money laundering law, in each case in all material respects. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with applicable Sanctions, applicable anti-corruption law and any applicable anti-money laundering law.
(b) No part of the proceeds of any extension of credit hereunder will be used directly or indirectly for the purpose of funding any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country, in each case to the extent prohibited by Sanctions. Neither the making of the extensions of credit hereunder nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate the USA PATRIOT Act.
(c) None of the proceeds of the extensions of credit made under this Agreement will violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended), or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto.
(d) No Loan Party (i) is, or will become, a Person described or designated in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the OFAC or in Section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order, or (ii) directly or, knowingly, indirectly (A) engages, or will engage, in any dealings or transactions, or (B) is, or will be otherwise associated with, any such Person, in each case to the extent prohibited by Sanctions or the Anti-Terrorism Order.
(e) None of the proceeds of the extensions of credit made under this Agreement will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or
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employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, for the purpose of obtaining, retaining or directing business or obtaining any improper advantage, in violation of the FCPA or applicable anti-corruption law.
SECTION 3.16 USA PATRIOT Act, Etc.
To the extent applicable, each Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (ii) the USA PATRIOT Act.

ARTICLE IV

Conditions
SECTION 4.01 Conditions to Initial Borrowing
The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):
(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement (a “Lender Addendum”) signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed Lender Addendum) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.
(b) The U.S. Guarantee Agreement shall have been duly executed by STX and each other Guarantor as of the Effective Date and delivered to the Administrative Agent.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of (i) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York counsel for STX and certain other Loan Parties, (ii) Arthur Cox, Irish counsel to STX, (iii) General Counsel of STX, and (iv) Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, Cayman Islands counsel for the Borrower and certain other Loan Parties, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Each Loan Party hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinions.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization or incorporation, existence and good standing of each Loan Party, the authorization of the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by each Loan Party and any other legal matters relating to each Loan Party or the Loan Documents, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 4.02.
(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that (i) the Borrower has paid or, concurrently with the making of the
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initial Loans under this Agreement will pay, in full all debt and accrued and unpaid fees, interest, and other amounts owing under the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2011 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among STX, the Borrower, the lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent, and (ii) such credit agreement (including the commitment to make any further extensions of credit thereunder) has been terminated and no longer in effect.
(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received, for the account of each Lender that has requested a Promissory Note, such Lender’s Promissory Note duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer of the Borrower.
(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received insurance certificates evidencing insurance coverage required to be maintained pursuant to each Loan Document and naming the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Finance Parties as additional insured (in the case of liability insurance), and providing that no cancellation of the policies will be made without at least thirty days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent.
(i) The Lenders shall be satisfied that there shall have been no material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or operations of STX and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since June 29, 2018.
(j) Upon the reasonable request of any Lender, made at least ten days prior to the Effective Date, the Borrower shall provide such information so requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and “anti-money laundering” rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, in each case at least five days prior to the Effective Date.
(k) Prior to the Effective Date, if the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, the Borrower shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower.
(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including in each case, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower under any Loan Document.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders as to the satisfaction of the documentary delivery requirements set forth above, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.
SECTION 4.02 Each Credit Event
The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to receipt of the request therefor in accordance herewith and to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents to which it is a party shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are subject to a Material Adverse Effect or a materiality qualifier, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, except to the extent such
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representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that were subject to a Material Adverse Effect or a materiality qualifier, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct) in each case as of such earlier date.
(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(c) With respect to the issuance of any Letter of Credit or the making of any Swingline Loan, there is no Defaulting Lender at the time such Swingline Loan is to be made or Letter of Credit is to be issued, unless the L/C Exposure or Swingline Exposure of such Defaulting Lender is re-allocated to non-Defaulting Lenders and/or the Borrower has Cash Collateralized or made other arrangements with respect to any such non-reallocated Exposure of such Defaulting Lender all in accordance with Section 2.22.
Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by STX and the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 4.02. For purposes of the foregoing, the term “Borrowing” shall not include the continuation or conversion of Loans in which the aggregate amount of such Loans is not being increased.
ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants
    Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each of STX and the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information
STX will furnish to the Administrative Agent:
(a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of STX, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Ernst & Young LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit or any other material qualification or exception) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
(b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of STX, its unaudited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial
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condition and results of operations of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a Certificate of Financial Officer of the Person delivering such financial statements (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.11, 6.12 and 6.13 (iii) stating whether any material change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of STX’s audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate and (iv) identifying any Material Acquisitions that have been consummated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary since the end of the previous fiscal quarter, including the date on which each such Material Acquisition was consummated and the consideration therefor;
(d) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the SEC or with any national securities exchange not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
(e) promptly following any reasonable request of the Administrative Agent therefor, copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k)(1) of ERISA that the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates have requested with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(l)(1) of ERISA that the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates have requested with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, provided that if the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates have not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Plan or Multiemployer Plan, the Borrower or its ERISA Affiliate(s), as applicable, shall promptly make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and shall provide copies of such documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof; and
(f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender, through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably request (including information required by the USA PATRIOT Act).
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the internet at http://www.seagate.com or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on SyndTrak or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent), provided that (A) upon written request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent and (B) the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely
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accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents.
SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events
STX and the Borrower will furnish, promptly upon STX’s or the Borrower’s obtaining knowledge thereof, to the Administrative Agent written notice of the following:
(a) the occurrence of any Default;
(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting STX, the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in material liability of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(d) the occurrence of any change to the Issuer Ratings by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch;
(e) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification (if previously provided at the Administrative Agent’s request) that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in parts (c) or (d) of such Beneficial Ownership Certification; and
(f) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice delivered under this Section 5.02 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of STX or the Borrower, as applicable, setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
SECTION 5.03 [RESERVED].
SECTION 5.04 Existence; Conduct of Business
Each of STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect (a) its legal existence and (b) the rights, contracts, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names used in the conduct of the business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, except, in the case of clause (b) of this Section, to the extent that the failure to take any such action could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03 or any sale of assets permitted under Section 6.05.
SECTION 5.05 Payment of Obligations
Each of STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, pay its Material Indebtedness and material Tax liabilities, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) STX, the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, (c) such contest effectively
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suspends collection of the contested obligation and the enforcement of any Lien securing such obligation and (d) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 5.06 Maintenance of Properties
Each of STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, keep and maintain all material property necessary to the conduct of the business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
SECTION 5.07 Insurance
Each of STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, upon request, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.
SECTION 5.08 Further Assurances
Each of STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary Loan Party to, execute any and all further documents, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions that may be required under any applicable law, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to cause the Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Borrower.
SECTION 5.09 Books and Records; Inspection Rights
Each of STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all material dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each of STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and at such reasonable intervals as may be reasonably requested, provided that any such visit or inspection by a Lender other than the Administrative Agent shall be coordinated by (and any request for such a visit or inspection shall be presented through) the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 5.10 Compliance with Laws
(a) Each of STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each of STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each of their Subsidiaries to, maintain in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by each Loan Party, their respective Subsidiaries, and their respective directors, officers,
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employees, and agents with applicable Sanctions, applicable anti-corruption law and any applicable anti-money laundering law.
SECTION 5.11 Use of Proceeds of Loans and Letters of Credit
The proceeds of (a) Term Loan A1 and Term Loan A2 will be utilized (i) to refinance existing Indebtedness, including the Term Loans due September 16, 2025 outstanding under (and as defined in) this Agreement prior to giving effect to the Fifth Amendment and the 4.25% Senior Notes due March 2022 and to pay accrued interest and premium thereon (and in the case of such 4.25% Senior Notes, to be repaid or prepaid at any time on or following the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, at the Borrower’s sole discretion), and (ii) for general corporate purposes; (b) Term Loan A3 will be utilized for general corporate purposes; and (c) the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans will be used only for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and Letters of Credit will be issued only to support obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business; provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing,
(a) no part of the proceeds of any Loan or issuance of, or proceeds from, any Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, (i) for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X or (ii) in contravention of the representations made in Section 3.15(b), (c) or (e), and
(b) the Borrower will not, directly, or knowingly, indirectly, lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) for the purpose of funding any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, in each case to the extent prohibited by Sanctions or (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Loans or Letters of Credit, whether as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, Lender, underwriter, advisor, investor, or otherwise).
SECTION 5.12 Senior Obligations
STX and the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary Loan Party to, ensure that its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party shall at all times rank at least pari passu in right of payment with all its other present and future senior Indebtedness, except for obligations accorded preference by mandatory provisions of law.
SECTION 5.13 Additional Subsidiaries
If any Subsidiary is formed or acquired after the Effective Date, STX and the Borrower will (a) within ten Business Days after such Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its discretion), notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof and (b) within 30 Business Days after such Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or, if such Subsidiary is a Foreign Subsidiary, within 60 Business Days after such Foreign Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its discretion)), cause the Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary (if it is a Subsidiary Loan Party), provided that if the Administrative Agent determines, after consultation with the Borrower, that (i) such additional Subsidiary providing a Guarantee would violate the law of the jurisdiction where such Subsidiary is organized or would result in a material adverse tax consequence to such additional Subsidiary or (ii) the cost to STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries of such additional Subsidiary providing a Guarantee would be excessive in view of the related benefits to be received by the Lenders, then STX and the Borrower shall not be required to cause the Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to
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such additional Subsidiary (and such additional Subsidiary shall not be a Subsidiary Loan Party for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants
    Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated, the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full, all Letters of Credit have expired or been terminated, and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, each of STX and the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness

(a) Each of STX and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(i) Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;
(ii) the Senior Notes and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of the Senior Notes that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof or result in an earlier maturity date or decreased weighted average life thereof, and that do not contain covenants that are more restrictive from the Borrower’s perspective than the covenants contained in this Agreement, provided that the applicable refinancing or replacement Indebtedness need not be incurred substantially concurrently with the consummation of such refinancing or replacement so long as such refinancing or replacement Indebtedness is incurred no earlier than six months prior to the date on which the applicable Senior Notes are refinanced or replaced, as the case may be;
(iii) Indebtedness (other than in respect of the Senior Notes) existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof or result in an earlier maturity date or decreased weighted average life thereof;
(iv) Indebtedness (x) of STX to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (y) of the Borrower to STX or any Subsidiary and (z) of any Subsidiary to STX, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (A) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (B) Indebtedness of the Borrower to STX or any Subsidiary and Indebtedness of STX or any Subsidiary Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(v) Guarantees (x) by STX or the Borrower of Indebtedness or Permitted Obligations of any Subsidiary, (y) by the Borrower of Indebtedness or Permitted Obligations of STX and (z) by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness or Permitted Obligations of STX or the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (A) such Indebtedness or Permitted Obligations is otherwise permitted hereunder, (B) Guarantees by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04, (C)
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Guarantees by any Loan Party permitted under this clause (v) shall be subordinated to the Obligations of the applicable Subsidiary to the same extent, if any, and on the same terms as the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations and (D) none of the Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred pursuant to clause (ii), (iii) or (ix) of this Section 6.01(a) shall be Guaranteed by any Subsidiary, unless such Subsidiary is a Loan Party that has Guaranteed the Obligations pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement;
(vi) Indebtedness of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, performance bonds, surety, appeal or similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their business, provided that upon the incurrence of Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such incurrence;
(vii) Indebtedness of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary representing deferred compensation to employees of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary, consistent with the historical practices of STX, the Borrower or such Subsidiary;
(viii) drawings under Overdraft Facilities, provided that any drawing that is not repaid in full on the Business Day following the day that such drawing was made shall not be permitted by this clause;
(ix) other Indebtedness, provided that (A) at the time of any incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (ix), after giving effect to such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this clause (ix) shall not exceed $150,000,000 and (B) the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred by the non-Loan Party Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (ix) (including any such Indebtedness of this type incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(iii), and in the aggregate referred to as the “Permitted Subsidiary Debt Amount”) and (ii) the Permitted Secured Debt Amount, in each case at any time outstanding, shall not exceed the Permitted Priority Debt Amount;
(x) any Permitted Receivables Factoring;
(xi) purchase money obligations or other similar obligations (including obligations in respect of mortgage, industrial revenue bond, industrial development bond, and similar financings) (i) in respect of capital leases, or (ii) incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, in each case, together with any modifications, extensions, renewals, refundings, replacements, and extensions of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (provided, in each case, that such Indebtedness is incurred within 270 days of the acquisition of such property);
(xii) Guarantees by the Borrower delivered in the ordinary course of its business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees and licensees of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and, subject to Section 6.08, other Affiliates; and
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(xiii) Guarantees by STX, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of lease agreements of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary not exceeding $100,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.
(b) Each of STX and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, issue any preferred Equity Interests, except that STX may issue preferred shares or other preferred Equity Interests that do not require mandatory cash dividends (other than Cash-Pay Preferred Equity that is issued in accordance with Section 6.01(a)) or redemptions and do not provide for any right on the part of the holder to require redemption, repurchase or repayment thereof, in each case prior to the date that is 91 days after the latest Maturity Date then applicable to the Loans.
SECTION 6.02 Liens
. Each of STX and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect thereof, except:
(a) Permitted Encumbrances and Liens created under the Loan Documents;
(b) any Lien on any property or asset of Seagate UC, the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 6.02, provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations that it secures on the Effective Date and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;
(c) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of setoff or similar rights;
(d) Liens in favor of a landlord on leasehold improvements in leased premises;
(e) Liens arising from Permitted Investments described in clause (d) of the definition of the term Permitted Investments;
(f) Uniform Commercial Code financing statements filed in respect of Permitted Receivables Factoring;
(g) other Liens securing Indebtedness, provided that the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured pursuant to this clause (g) (together with any secured Indebtedness described in Section 6.02(b), and in the aggregate referred to as the “Permitted Secured Debt Amount”) and (ii) the Permitted Subsidiary Debt Amount, in each case at any time outstanding, shall not exceed the Permitted Priority Debt Amount;
(h) Liens (including cash collateral) securing obligations arising under any Swap Agreement with a counterparty that is not a Finance Party (or an Affiliate thereof) so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $100,000,000 at any time, provided that no more than $50,000,000 of such obligations may be secured by Liens that rank equally with, or are senior to, the Liens securing the Obligations;
(i) during any Non-Investment Grade Period, Liens incurred during any prior Investment Grade Period pursuant to clause (g) of this Section 6.02 and outstanding at the
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end of the immediately preceding Investment Grade Period, provided that such Liens could not be classified as Liens created, incurred, assumed or permitted pursuant to clauses (a) through (h) of this Section 6.02;
(j) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on metals leased to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary under any Platinum Lease; and
(k) Liens securing Indebtedness pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(xi); provided that (i) such Liens attach at all times only to the assets so financed except for accession to the property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or financed with the proceeds of such Indebtedness and the proceeds and the products thereof, and (ii) individual financings or leases of equipment provided by one lender or lessor may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender or lessor.
SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes
(a) Neither STX nor the Borrower will, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with STX or the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or liquidate or dissolve, nor will STX or the Borrower sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all the assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (whether directly or through the sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of the assets of one or more Subsidiaries), except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) any Person may merge with STX or the Borrower in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof, the District of Columbia or Ireland or the Cayman Islands and, if such surviving entity is not STX or the Borrower, as the case may be, such Person expressly assumes, in writing, all the obligations of STX or the Borrower, as the case may be, under the Loan Documents and provides the Lenders with requisite “know-your-customer” information as reasonably requested by a Lender, and (ii) any Person may merge into any Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Subsidiary and (if any party to such merger is a Subsidiary Loan Party) is a Subsidiary Loan Party and any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders, provided that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Sections 6.04 and 6.08. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this clause (a) shall not prohibit a Successor Transaction in compliance with Section 6.15.
(b) Each of STX and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on the date of execution of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto, including Permitted Receivables Factoring.
SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions
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Each of STX and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower prior to such merger) any Equity Interests in or evidences of Indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit (any of the foregoing, an “Investment”), except:
(a) Permitted Investments;
(b) investments existing on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04;
(c) investments by STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in Equity Interests in each other, provided that no investment may be made pursuant to this clause (c) by a Loan Party in the Equity Interests of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party unless such investment is being made in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries;
(d) loans or advances (x) made by STX to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (y) made by the Borrower to any Subsidiary and (z) made by any Subsidiary to STX, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that no loan or advance in excess of $15,000,000 in the aggregate for all such loans or advances may be made pursuant to this clause (d) by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party unless such loan or advance is being made in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries;
(e) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01 and Guarantees of Permitted Obligations permitted by Section 6.01, provided that no Guarantee (of other than the Obligations) in excess of $15,000,000 in the aggregate for all Guarantees constituting Indebtedness may be made pursuant to this clause (e) by any Loan Party of the Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party unless such Guarantee is being made in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries;
(f) investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(g) any investments in or loans to any other Person received as non-cash consideration for sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted by Section 6.05;
(h) Guarantees by STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries of leases other than Capital Lease Obligations entered into by any Subsidiary as lessee;
(i) extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable in the ordinary course of business;
(j) investments in payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;
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(k) investments in or acquisitions of stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;
(l) investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted under Section 6.06;
(m) investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions resulting from a foreclosure by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to any secured investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured investment in default;
(n) investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions the consideration for which consists solely of shares of common stock of STX;
(o) investments arising as a result of any Permitted Receivables Factoring;
(p) other Investments, provided that (i) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from any such Investment, (ii) in the case of any such Investment in an amount that exceeds $100,000,000, (A) STX is in compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such Investment (after giving effect to any reduction in operating expenses permitted to be included for this purpose in the calculation set forth in the definition of the term Consolidated EBITDA), with the covenants contained in Section 6.11 and Section 6.12 recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of STX for which financial information is available, as if such Investment (and any related incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, with any new Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) had occurred on the first day of each relevant period for testing such compliance; and (B) the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Financial Officer of STX that certifies compliance with clauses (p)(ii)(A) and (p)(iii), together with all relevant financial information for the Person or assets to be acquired and reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with the requirement set forth in clause (ii)(A) and (iii) both before and after giving effect to such Investment and any related Borrowing, the Liquidity Amount shall not be less than $800,000,000; and
(q) prepayments or advances to vendors or suppliers of semiconductors in connection with any guarantee of supply by, or to fund the expansion of supply capacity by, such vendor or supplier, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any one time outstanding.
SECTION 6.05 Asset Sales
During a Non-Investment Grade Period, each of STX and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will STX or the Borrower permit any of its subsidiaries to issue any additional Equity Interests in such Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary issuing directors’ qualifying shares or issuing Equity Interests to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04(c)), except:
(a) sales of inventory, used or surplus equipment and Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business and periodic clearance of aged inventory;
(b) sales, transfers and other dispositions of Equity Interests to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that any such sale, transfer or other disposition involving a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party (to the extent that such sale,
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transfer or other disposition is not made in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries) shall be made in compliance with Section 6.08;
(c) sales of assets received by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary upon the exercise of a power of sale or foreclosure by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to any secured investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured investment in default;
(d) licensing and cross-licensing arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary involving any technology or other intellectual property of STX, the Borrower or such Subsidiary;
(e) sales, transfers and other dispositions to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that any such sale, transfer or other disposition involving a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party (to the extent that such sale, transfer or other disposition is not made in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries) shall be made in compliance with Section 6.08;
(f) sales, transfers and other dispositions of Receivables and Related Assets pursuant to any Permitted Receivables Factoring;
(g) sales, transfers and other dispositions that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section 6.05, provided that the aggregate fair market value of all assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this clause (g) shall not exceed during any fiscal year of STX the amount that is equal to 15% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year of STX;
(h) licensing of assets that constitute technology or other intellectual property to joint ventures in connection with investments permitted by Section 6.04;
(i) sales of assets pursuant to a transaction permitted by Section 6.03(a); and
(j) sale and leaseback transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries involving the sale and subsequent leaseback pursuant to a Platinum Lease of platinum or other precious metals, so long as such sale is consummated substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of the platinum or other precious metals so sold;
provided that all sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted hereby (other than those permitted by clause (b) or (e) above) shall be made for fair market value.
SECTION 6.06 Swap Agreements
. Each of STX and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure, (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, which shall be governed by clause (c) of this Section), (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or (c)(i) Swap Agreements entered into by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and payments (in either cash or Equity Interests as applicable) required thereunder, (A) in respect of Equity Interests in STX providing for payments to current or former directors, officers or employees of STX, the Borrower and any Subsidiary or their heirs or estates and (B) in respect
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of Equity Interests in STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with any redemption or repurchase by STX of its Equity Interests, and (ii) to the extent not permitted under clause (c)(i), any other Swap Agreements entered into by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and payments (in either cash or Equity Interests as applicable) required thereunder in respect of Equity Interests in STX; provided, that Restricted Payments required by the Swap Agreements entered into in reliance on this clause (c) shall only be made in the same circumstances under which, and in the amounts that, STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries are then permitted to make Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 6.07, and such Restricted Payments made during any fiscal year shall be deemed to reduce the amount of Restricted Payments available during such fiscal year under Section 6.07.
SECTION 6.07 Restricted Payments
During any Non-Investment Grade Period, the Borrower will not, and STX and the Borrower will not permit any of their respective subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:
(a) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of their Equity Interests;
(b) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or distributions ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, provided if the Borrower merges with or consolidates with or into STX (or if different the ultimate parent of the Borrower which is a publicly traded Person), then the Borrower shall no longer be able to declare and pay ratable dividends or distributions pursuant to this clause (b);
(c) Restricted Payments consisting of cash dividends paid quarterly in respect of STX’s Equity Interests, provided that (i) no such Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (c) shall be declared, permitted or made in an aggregate amount that is greater than $700,000,000 in any four consecutive fiscal quarter period, and (ii) after giving effect to each such Restricted Payment referred to in this clause (c) and any related Borrowing, the Liquidity Amount shall not be less than $800,000,000; and
(d) other Restricted Payments, provided that (i) no such Restricted Payments shall be declared, permitted or made if before or after giving effect thereto, the Total Leverage Ratio is, or on a pro forma basis would be, greater than 3.75:1.00, calculated based upon the financial information most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (c) of Section 5.01, and (ii) after giving effect to each such Restricted Payment referred to in this clause (d) and any related Borrowing, the Liquidity Amount shall not be less than $800,000,000.
If any Restricted Payment described in any clause of this Section 6.07 made at the time an Investment Grade Period ends exceeds the amount of Restricted Payments that would be permitted at the time the succeeding Non-Investment Grade Period commences, then the amount of such excess shall be deemed to have been permitted under this Section.
SECTION 6.08 Transactions with Affiliates
Each of STX and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, in excess of $15,000,000 except (a) transactions that are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to STX, the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-
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length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among STX, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties (and, if the applicable transaction is a transaction in the ordinary course of business of STX, the Borrower and the applicable Subsidiary, any other Subsidiary) not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the board of directors of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (d) the grant of stock options or similar rights to officers, employees, consultants and directors of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to plans approved by the board of directors of STX, the Borrower or, in the case of any such grant to an officer, employee, consultant or director of any Subsidiary, such Subsidiary and the payment of amounts or the issuance of securities pursuant thereto and (e) transactions otherwise permitted under this Agreement.
SECTION 6.09 Restrictive Agreements
Each of STX and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon
(a) the ability of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets to secure the obligations of STX and the Borrower under the Loan Documents or
(b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any shares of its capital stock or to make or repay loans or advances to STX, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of STX, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that
(i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or any Loan Document,
(ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the Effective Date imposed by any Senior Note Document or identified on Schedule 6.09 (but shall apply to any refinancing, replacement, extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition),
(iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of any Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to such Subsidiary and such sale is permitted hereunder,
(iv) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions on or customary conditions to the payment of dividends or other distributions on, or the creation of Liens over, Equity Interests owned by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in any joint venture or like enterprise that is not a Subsidiary contained in the constitutive documents of such joint venture or enterprise,
(v) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness permitted by subclause (B) of Section 6.01(a)(ix) of this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (in the case of clause (a) of the foregoing) and/or only to the Subsidiary incurring such Indebtedness or its subsidiaries (in the case of clause (b) of the foregoing),
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(vi) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases or licenses (or sublicenses) of intellectual or similar property restricting the assignment, subletting or transfer thereof,
(vii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to any Permitted Receivables Factoring, provided that such restrictions or conditions apply only to the Receivables and the Related Assets that are the subject of such Permitted Receivables Factoring, and
(viii) [RESERVED].
SECTION 6.10 Amendment of Material Documents
Neither STX nor the Borrower will, nor will STX and the Borrower permit any of their respective subsidiaries to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) its certificate of incorporation, by-laws, memorandum or articles of association or other organizational documents or (b) any Senior Note Document, except to the extent that such amendments, modifications or waivers, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or be materially adverse to the Lenders.
SECTION 6.11 Interest Coverage Ratio
STX will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter to be less than 3.25 to 1.00.
SECTION 6.12 Total Leverage Ratio
STX will not permit the Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter to exceed 4.00 to 1.00.
SECTION 6.13 Minimum Liquidity
STX will not permit the Liquidity Amount to be less than $700,000,000 at any time.
SECTION 6.14 OFAC Compliance
The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, do business in a Sanctioned Country or with a Sanctioned Person in violation of the economic sanctions of the United States administered by OFAC.
SECTION 6.15 Successor Transaction. STX will not consummate a Successor Transaction unless prior to or contemporaneous with the consummation thereof (i) unless otherwise agreed to by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall have received a guarantee of all Obligations in form and substance satisfactory to it or a joinder to the U.S. Guarantee Agreement, from any Persons (including any holding companies) created or otherwise involved (referred to as a “New Obligor”) in the Successor Transaction, (ii) if STX is no longer the ultimate parent owner of the Borrower, unless otherwise agreed to by the Required Lenders, then each New Obligor shall have executed and delivered a joinder to this Agreement satisfactory to the Administrative Agent pursuant to which it becomes obligated for the same obligations binding on STX prior to the Successor Transaction, and (iii) the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Lenders and itself), STX, the Borrower and, if applicable in the reasonable determination of the Administrative Agent, the New Obligor shall have executed and delivered an amendment to this Agreement and any other Loan Documents as specified by, and
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in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent to reflect the New Obligor as the ultimate parent of STX and to preserve the rights and remedies of the Finance Parties and to ensure that such right and remedies are not adversely affected by the Successor Transaction. Notwithstanding the terms of Section 9.02(b), the Lenders hereby consent to, and authorize and direct the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, (i) such amendments described in the preceding sentence on their behalf without any further consent of the Lenders (provided that, except as described in clause (ii) of this sentence, any such amendments shall not involve any modifications of the type set forth in Section 9.02 (b)(i) through (b)(vii)) and (ii) releases of STX as an obligor under the Loan Documents and as a Guarantor upon the approval of the Required Lenders. In connection with the foregoing, the Lenders and Administrative Agent agree that if approved by the Required Lenders, the removal of STX as a Guarantor in the event of a Successor Transaction does not adversely affect their rights and remedies.
SECTION 6.16 Maximum Aggregate Debt. Notwithstanding any of the terms of this Agreement to the contrary, other than in connection with the Loan Documents, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur, Guarantee (as defined in any Senior Note Document) or otherwise become liable for or suffer to exist Aggregate Debt (as defined in any Senior Note Document) in excess of $150,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding during the Cap Period (as defined in the U.S. Guarantee Agreement).
ARTICLE VII

Events of Default
SECTION 7.01 Events of Default
If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Section 7.01) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five days;
(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;
(d) STX or the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a), Section 5.04 (with respect to the existence of STX or the Borrower), Section 5.09 or in Article VI;
(e) STX or the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Section 7.01), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);
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(f) STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable after giving effect to any applicable grace period with respect thereto;
(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due or any Permitted Receivables Factoring terminating (except voluntary terminations) prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due or any Permitted Receivables Factoring to be terminated, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity, provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;
(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization, examinership or other relief in respect of STX, the Borrower or, subject to Section 7.02, any Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, examinership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator, liquidator, examiner or similar official for STX, the Borrower or, subject to Section 7.02, any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(i) STX, the Borrower or, subject to Section 7.02, any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking dissolution, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization, court protection or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, examinership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Section 7.01, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator, liquidator, examiner or similar official for STX, the Borrower or, subject to Section 7.02, any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
(j) STX, the Borrower or, subject to Section 7.02, any Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000,000 (net of amounts covered by insurance as to which the insurer has admitted liability in writing) shall be rendered against STX, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;
(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
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(m) a Change in Control shall occur; or
(n) the Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement for any reason shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms), or any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) shall deny in writing that it has any further liability under the Guarantee Agreement (other than as a result of the discharge of such Loan Party) in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Section 7.01), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Section 7.01, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
SECTION 7.02 Exclusion of Immaterial Subsidiaries
Solely for the purposes of determining whether a Default has occurred under clause (h), (i) or (j) of Section 7.01, any reference in any such clause to any Subsidiary shall be deemed not to include any Subsidiary affected by any event or circumstance referred to in any such clause that did not, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of STX most recently ended, have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets as of such date, provided that if it is necessary to exclude more than one Subsidiary from clause (h), (i) or (j) of Section 7.01 pursuant to this Section 7.02 in order to avoid a Default thereunder, all excluded Subsidiaries shall be considered to be a single consolidated Subsidiary for purposes of determining whether the condition specified above is satisfied.
ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent
SECTION 8.01 The Administrative Agent as Agent
Each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Article VIII, the provisions of this Article VIII are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and no Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
SECTION 8.02 The Administrative Agent as Lender
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The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
SECTION 8.03 No Duties
The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary or believed by the Administrative Agent in good faith to be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to STX, Borrower or any Subsidiary that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by STX, the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 8.04 Reliance by the Agent and Exculpation
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
SECTION 8.05 Delegation of Agent’s Obligations
The Administrative Agent may perform any of and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of and all its duties and exercise
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its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article VIII shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Administrative Agent.
In determining (i) whether conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement have been satisfied, or (ii) compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, in each case, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition precedent or condition to extension of credit is satisfactory to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such Issuing Bank prior to the Administrative Agent’s declaration that the conditions precedent for the documentary deliverables as required under Section 4.01 have been satisfied, or the making of such Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit.
SECTION 8.06 Successor
Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this Section, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time upon notice to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, subject to the approval of the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent that shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as the Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents in its capacity as the Administrative Agent. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article VIII and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 8.07 Credit Decisions
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon any Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished thereunder.
SECTION 8.08 Limitations on Obligations of Certain Transaction Parties
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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, none of the Arrangers, Bookrunners, Syndication Agent or Documentation Agents shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under any Loan Document, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder. It is agreed that the Bookrunners, Syndication Agents and Documentation Agents shall have no duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in their capacities as such. No Bookrunner, Syndication Agent or Documentation Agent shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on the Bookrunners, Syndication Agents or Documentation Agents in deciding to enter into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in taking or not taking any action hereunder or thereunder.
SECTION 8.09 Guarantee Matters
The Lenders and the Issuing Banks irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion:
(a) to release any Lien on collateral (if any) granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon the Maturity Date, (ii) that is disposed of or to be disposed of as part of or in connection with any transfer or sale permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (iii) subject to Section 9.02, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders or all Lenders, if so required; and
(b) if any Person that is a Guarantor ceases to be required to be a Guarantor as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder, to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the applicable Guarantee Agreement.
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the authority of the Administrative Agent to release any Lien on collateral held by such Agent or any Guarantor from its obligations under the Loan Documents pursuant to this Section.
SECTION 8.10 Certain ERISA Matters.
(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents,
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance
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of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or
(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement and the other Loan Documents satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84- 14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
(b) In addition, unless either (x) clause (a)(i) is true with respect to a Lender or (y) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with clause (a)(iii), such Lender further (i) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (ii) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent (and not to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party), that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document).
SECTION 8.11 Erroneous Payments.
(a) If the Administrative Agent (x) notifies a Lender, Issuing Bank or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender or Issuing Bank (any such Lender, Issuing Bank or other recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined in its reasonable discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds (as set forth in such notice from the Administrative Agent) received by such Payment Recipient from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Lender, Issuing Bank or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether transmitted or received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and (y) demands in writing the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof) (provided, that, without limiting any other rights or remedies (whether at law or in equity), the Administrative Agent may not make any such demand under this clause (a) with respect to an Erroneous Payment unless such demand is made within five Business Days of the date of receipt of such Erroneous Payment by the applicable Payment Recipient), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent pending its return or repayment as contemplated below in this Section 8.11 and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and such Lender and Issuing Bank shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days thereafter (or such
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later date as the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Payment Recipient who has received funds on behalf of a Lender or Issuing Bank agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in this Agreement, any Loan Document or in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Payment Recipient, otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then in each such case:
(i) it acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error and mistake shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error and mistake has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and
(ii) such Lender or Issuing Bank shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Payment Recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge of the occurrence of any of the circumstances described in immediately preceding clauses (x), (y) and (z)) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this clause (b).
For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to deliver a notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this clause (b) shall not have any effect on a Payment Recipient’s obligations pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 8.11 or on whether or not an Erroneous Payment has been made.
(c) Each Lender and Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or Issuing Bank under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender or Issuing Bank under any Loan Document with respect to any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, against any amount that the Administrative Agent has demanded to be returned under clause (a) of this Section 8.11.
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(d) (i) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor in accordance with immediately preceding clause (a), from any Lender that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (and/or from any Payment Recipient who received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) on its respective behalf) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), upon the Administrative Agent’s notice to such Lender at any time, then effective immediately (with the consideration therefor being acknowledged by the parties hereto), (A) such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned its Loans (but not its Commitments) of the relevant Class with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class”) in an amount equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Class, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) (on a cashless basis and such amount calculated at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (with the assignment fee to be waived by the Administrative Agent in such instance)), and is hereby (together with the Borrower) deemed to execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement by reference pursuant to an electronic platform approved by the Administrative Agent (an “Approved Electronic Platform”) as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants) with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and such Lender shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (but the failure of such Person to deliver any such Notes shall not affect the effectiveness of the foregoing assignment), (B) the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall be deemed to have acquired the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (C) upon such deemed acquisition, the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall become a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and the assigning Lender shall cease to be a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, its obligations under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement and its applicable Commitments which shall survive as to such assigning Lender, (D) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall each be deemed to have waived any consents required under this Agreement to any such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and (E) the Administrative Agent will reflect in the Register its ownership interest in the Loans subject to the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. For the avoidance of doubt, no Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment will reduce the Commitments of any Lender and such Commitments shall remain available in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(ii) Subject to Section 9.04 (but excluding, in all events, any assignment consent or approval requirements (whether from the Borrower or otherwise)), the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, sell any Loans acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Loan (or portion thereof), and the Administrative Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Lender (and/or against any Payment Recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf). In addition, an Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender (x) shall be reduced by the proceeds of prepayments or repayments of principal and interest, or other distribution in respect of principal and interest, received by the Administrative Agent on or with respect to any such Loans acquired from such Lender pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment (to the extent that any such Loans are then
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owned by the Administrative Agent) and (y) may, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, be reduced by any amount specified by the Administrative Agent in writing to the applicable Lender from time to time.
(e) The parties hereto agree that (x) irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, in the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights and interests of such Payment Recipient (and, in the case of any Payment Recipient who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party, to the rights and interests of such Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party, as the case may be) under the Loan Documents with respect to such amount (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”) (provided that the Loan Parties’ Obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of the Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights shall not be duplicative of such Obligations in respect of Loans that have been assigned to the Administrative Agent under an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment) and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided that this Section shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the Obligations of the Borrower relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations that would have been payable had such Erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) shall not apply to the extent any such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.
(f) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including, without limitation, any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.
Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender or Issuing Bank, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.
ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous
SECTION 9.01 Notices
Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to STX or the Borrower, to it at:
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47488 Kato Road
Fremont, California 94538
Attention: Walter Chang
Email: walter.chang@seagate.com

(b) if to the Administrative Agent:
The Bank of Nova Scotia
    GWS Loan Operations
    720 King Street West, 2nd Floor
    Toronto, Ontario
    M5V 2T3
Attn:    U.S. Loan Agency Operations

Phone: (212) 225-5706
Fax:     (212) 225-5708
E-mail: GWSUSCorp_LoanOps@scotiabank.com
(c) if to an Issuing Bank other than the Administrative Agent (if applicable), to it at the address or telecopy number set forth separately in writing;
(d) if to a Swingline Lender other than the Administrative Agent (if applicable), to it at the address or telecopy number set forth separately in writing; and
(e) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and any Issuing Bank hereunder may also be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
SECTION 9.02 Waivers; Amendments
(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders under the Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by STX or the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless
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the same shall be permitted by clause (b) of this Section 9.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on STX or the Borrower in any case shall entitle STX or the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
(b) Except as provided in Section 2.23 with respect to any Maturity Date extension and Section 2.24(a), neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by STX, the Borrower and the Required Lenders or, in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each of STX and the Borrower, if they are parties thereto, and the Administrative Agent, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders, provided that no such agreement shall
(i) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender,
(ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby,
(iii) postpone the final maturity of any Loan or the required date of reimbursement of any LC Disbursement, or any required date for the payment of any interest or fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such required payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby,
(iv) change Section 2.17(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender,
(v) change any of the provisions of this Section 9.02 or the percentage set forth in the definition of the term “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender,
(vi) release any Guarantor from its Guarantee under the applicable Guarantee Agreement (except as expressly provided herein or in such Guarantee Agreement), or limit its liability in respect of such Guarantee, without the written consent of each Lender,
(vii) change the definition of the term “Interest Period” to permit the Borrower to select interest periods of 9 or 12 months for SOFR Borrowings without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, or
(viii) if a Revolving Loan, Swingline Loan or Letter of Credit is being requested, modify conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 without the consent of Revolving Loan Lenders holding, in the aggregate, no less than 50.0% of the Revolving Loan Percentages,
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provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender under this Agreement or the Guarantee Agreement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender, as the case may be.
(c) In connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a “Proposed Change”) to any Loan Document requiring the consent of all affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders to such Proposed Change is obtained, but the consent to such Proposed Change of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in this Section 9.02(b) being referred to as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then, so long as the Lender that is acting as the Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, at the Borrower’s request, any assignee that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (and that is not a Non-Consenting Lender) shall have the right, with the prior consent of the Administrative Agent, each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank (which consent (x) shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and (y) in the case of any consent required by any Issuing Bank, shall be deemed to have been given in the event that such Issuing Bank fails to respond in writing to a request for consent within two Business Days of receipt thereof), to purchase from such Non-Consenting Lender, and such Non-Consenting Lender agrees that it shall, upon the Borrower’s request, sell and assign to such assignee, at no expense to such Non-Consenting Lender (including with respect to any processing and recordation fees that may be applicable pursuant to Section 9.04(b)(ii)(c), which shall be paid by the assignee or the Borrower), all the Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans (in the case of a Revolving Loan Lender) and the Term Loan Commitments and Term Loans (in the case of a Term Loan Lender) of such Non-Consenting Lender for an amount equal to the principal balance of all applicable Loans (and in the case of a Revolving Loan Lender, funded participations in Swingline Loans and unreimbursed LC Disbursements) held by such Non-Consenting Lender and all accrued interest, fees and other amounts with respect thereto through the date of sale (including amounts under Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16), such purchase and sale to be consummated pursuant to an executed Assignment and Acceptance in accordance with Section 9.04(b) (which Assignment and Acceptance need not be signed by such Non-Consenting Lender).
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (ii) no Defaulting Lender shall be included as a Lender for purposes of the calculation of “Required Lenders” (in either the numerator or the denominator).
(e) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated (but such Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14 through 2.16 (inclusive) and 9.03, and in each other term of a Loan Document that expressly survives termination of such Loan Document), such Lender shall have no other Commitment or other Obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement (and in the case of an Issuing Bank, all of its LC Exposure has been Cash Collateralized). For the avoidance of doubt it is
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understood that any transaction permitted by Section 2.23 shall not be subject to this Section 9.02.
SECTION 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver
(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel for the Administrative Agent in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel each, in each applicable jurisdiction, for the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 9.03, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including any Environmental Liability) and related expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (ii) any actual or alleged presence, Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at, onto or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any other Environmental Liability related in any way to STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by STX, the Borrower or any Subsidiary and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined in a finally determined nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction, of such Indemnitee.
(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender under clause (a) or (b) of this Section 9.03, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the
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unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.
(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, neither STX nor the Borrower shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby (including the execution, delivery and performance by STX and the Borrower of such Loan Document, agreement or instrument), any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. In addition, no Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems, except to the extent such damages resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined in a finally determined nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction, of such Indemnitee.
(e) All amounts due under this Section 9.03 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.
(f) No director, officer, employee, stockholder or member, as such, of any Loan Party shall have any liability for the obligations of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation, provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to relieve any Loan Party of its obligations under any Loan Document.
SECTION 9.04 Successors and Assigns
(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 9.04. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in clause (e) of this Section 9.04) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (other than any natural person or holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person, or any Defaulting Lender) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it), provided that except in the case of an assignment of Loans or Commitments to a Lender or Lender Affiliate, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and, if the assignment is of Revolving Commitments or Revolving Loans, then also each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank, must give their prior written consent to such
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assignment (which consent (x) shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, (y) in the case of any consent required by any Issuing Bank, shall be deemed to have been given in the event that such Issuing Bank fails to respond in writing to a request for consent within two Business Days of receipt thereof, and (z) in the case of the Borrower, shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five Business Days after having received notice thereof); and provided further that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under clause (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 has occurred and is continuing.
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions: (A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or a Lender Affiliate or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Loans and Commitment (or, after the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the Revolving Exposure of a Revolving Loan Lender), the amount of the applicable Loans and Commitment of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall be an amount not less than $5,000,000, unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of an assignment of all or a portion of a Revolving Commitment or any Lender’s obligations in respect of its Swingline Exposure, each Swingline Lender) otherwise consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five Business Days after having received notice thereof, and provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under clause (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 has occurred and is continuing, (B) each partial assignment of one Class of an assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under such Class of Commitments or Loans, (C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, provided that assignments made pursuant to Section 2.18(b) shall not require the signature of the assigning Lender to become effective, and (D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required by Section 2.16(f).
(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to clause (b)(v) of this Section 9.04, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement (provided that any liability of the Borrower to such assignee under Section 2.14, Section 2.15 or Section 2.16 shall be limited to the amount, if any, that would have been payable thereunder by the Borrower in the absence of such assignment; and provided further that an assignee that is a Foreign Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16 unless such assignee agrees to comply with the requirements of Section 2.16(f)), and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14, Section 2.15, Section 2.16 and Section
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9.03 and to any fees payable hereunder that have accrued for such Lender’s account but have not yet been paid). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this clause (b) shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with clause (c)(i) of this Section 9.04.
(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in The City of New York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and STX, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(c) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required by Section 2.16(f) (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in clause (b) of this Section 9.04 and any written consent to such assignment required by clause (b) of this Section 9.04, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this clause.
(d) The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Acceptance shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
(e) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lenders, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (other than any natural person or holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person, or any Defaulting Lender) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it), provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) STX, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver
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of any provision of the Loan Documents, provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to clause (f) of this Section 9.04, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14, Section 2.15 and Section 2.16 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 9.04. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17(c) as though it were a Lender.
(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14 or 2.16 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent or except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.
(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section 9.04 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest, provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. In the case of any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank loans, such Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, assign or pledge all or any portion of any instrument evidencing its rights as a Lender under this Agreement to any trustee for, or any other representative of holders of obligations owed or securities issued by, such fund, as security for such obligations or securities, provided that any foreclosure or similar action by such trustee or representative shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 9.04 concerning assignments.
(g) In the event that S&P or Moody’s shall, after the date that any Lender becomes a Revolving Loan Lender, downgrade the long-term certificate deposit ratings or long-term senior unsecured debt ratings of such Revolving Loan Lender (or the parent company thereof), and the resulting ratings shall be BBB+ or lower by S&P or Baa1 or lower by Moody’s, then each Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank shall have the right, but not the obligation, at its own expense, upon notice to such Revolving Loan Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and the consent of the Borrower if such ratings of such proposed replacement are not at least one rating higher, to replace such Revolving Loan Lender with respect to such Revolving Loan Lender’s Revolving Commitment with an assignee (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in clause (b) above, including the right of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to consent to the identity of such assignee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed)), and such Revolving Loan Lender hereby agrees to transfer and assign without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in clause (b) above) all its interests, rights and obligations in respect of its Revolving Commitment to such assignee, provided, however, that (i) no such assignment shall conflict with any law, rule and regulation or order of any Governmental Authority, (ii) such Revolving Loan Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it (in its capacity as a Revolving Loan Lender) hereunder from the assignee (to the extent
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of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts and (iii) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPV”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan or, except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence, affect in any way the Commitment of the Granting Lender and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. In the event that an SPV provides all or any part of any Loan, STX, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with the Granting Lender with respect to such Loan, including with respect to the giving of notices and the delivery of financial statements, certificates and other documents (including pursuant to Article V) and information. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall (A) be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender), (B) have any voting rights under Section 9.02 or Article VII or with respect to any other matter under this Agreement to which the Lenders are entitled to give their consent (all of which voting rights shall remain with the Granting Lender) or (C) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Section 2.14, Section 2.15, Section 2.16 or Section 9.03 than the Granting Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the amount of any Loan provided by the SPV if the Granting Lender had in fact made such Loan. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, such party will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPV may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV. As this Section 9.04(h) applies to any particular SPV, this Section may not be amended without the written consent of such SPV.
Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower (solely for tax purposes), maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other Loan Document Obligations (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant's interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other Loan Document Obligations) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment,
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Loan, Letter of Credit or other Obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) and Proposed Section 1.163-5(b) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

SECTION 9.05 Survival
All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Section 2.14, Section 2.15, Section 2.16 and Section 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
SECTION 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the syndication of the Loans and Commitments constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by electronic signature, telecopy or Adobe .pdf transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.07 Severability
Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 9.08 Right of Setoff
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If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower then existing under this Agreement (to the extent such obligations of the Borrower are then due and payable (by acceleration or otherwise)) held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such setoff and application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff and application under this Section 9.08. The rights of each Lender and its Affiliates under this Section 9.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender and its Affiliates may have.
SECTION 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process
(a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b) Each of STX and the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in any Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document against STX, the Borrower or their respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) Each of STX and the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document in any court referred to in clause (b) of this Section 9.09. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. Each of STX and the Borrower hereby irrevocably appoint Seagate Technology (US) as agent for service of process in the United States and Seagate Technology (US) hereby accepts such appointment and agrees that its address for purposes of this clause
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and similar clauses in the U.S. Guarantee Agreement is that set forth in Section 9.01(a). Seagate Technology (US) agrees that its appointment is irrevocable so long as any Obligations remain outstanding under this Agreement, and that it shall give the Administrative Agent at least 10 Business Days’ notice of any change to its address upon which service of process can be made on it pursuant to this Section. In any event, the address at which service of process can be made shall be an address located in New York or California.
SECTION 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.10.
SECTION 9.11 Headings
Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
SECTION 9.12 Confidentiality
Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority or self-regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document or the enforcement of rights thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.12 (or an agreement to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.12), to (i) any assignee of, Participant in, or credit insurance provider for, or any prospective assignee, Participant or credit insurance provider, in any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective direct or indirect contractual counterparties in swap or other derivative agreements or such contractual counterparties’ professional advisors, (g) with the consent of the Borrower, (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.12 or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than STX, Seagate UC or the Borrower or (i) to any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender. In the case of any disclosure of Information pursuant to clause (c) or clause (e) of the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent will inform the Borrower of such disclosure of which it has knowledge and
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to the extent it is not prohibited under applicable law from notifying the Borrower. For the purposes of this Section 9.12, the term “Information” means all information received from STX, Seagate UC or the Borrower relating to STX, Seagate UC or the Borrower or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by STX, Seagate UC or the Borrower. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 9.12 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
SECTION 9.13 Interest Rate Limitation
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan or participation in any LC Disbursement, together with all fees, charges and other amounts that are treated as interest on such Loan or LC Disbursement or participation therein under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan or LC Disbursement or participation therein in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan or LC Disbursement or participation therein but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 9.13 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or LC Disbursements or participations therein or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
SECTION 9.14 Judgment Currency
(a) The Borrower’s obligations hereunder and the Borrower’s and STX’s obligations under the other Loan Documents to make payments in dollars (the “Obligation Currency”) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than the Obligation Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by the Administrative Agent, an Issuing Bank’s or a Lender of the full amount of the Obligation Currency expressed to be payable to the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender under the Loan Documents. If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Borrower in any court or in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any currency other than the Obligation Currency (such other currency being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in the Obligation Currency, the conversion shall be made, at the rate of exchange (as quoted by the Administrative Agent or, if the Administrative Agent does not quote a rate of exchange on such currency, by a known dealer in such currency designated by the Administrative Agent) determined, in each case, as of the date immediately preceding the day on which the judgment is given (such Business Day being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency Conversion Date”).
(b) If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Currency Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the Borrower and STX covenants and agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, such additional amounts, if any (but in any event not a lesser amount), as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange
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prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of the Obligation Currency that could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial award at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion Date.
(c) For purposes of determining the rate of exchange for this Section 9.14, such amounts shall include any premium and costs payable in connection with the purchase of the Obligation Currency.
SECTION 9.15 USA PATRIOT Act
Each Lender hereby notifies STX and the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “USA PATRIOT Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies STX and the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of STX and the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify STX and the Borrower in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.
SECTION 9.16 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising hereunder, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable (i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability; (ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement; or (iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any Resolution Authority.
SECTION 9.17 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States) that in the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in
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or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
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EXHIBIT B
(to Sixth Amendment)

Schedule 2.01
Lenders and Commitments
(as of Sixth Amendment Effective Date)
LenderRevolving Credit FacilityTerm Loan A-1Term Loan A 2Term Loan A-3Total Allocation%
The Bank of Nova Scotia$160,000,000$62,500,000$62,500,000$87,500,000$372,500,00010.5%
Bank of America, N.A.$160,000,000$62,500,000$62,500,000$62,500,000$347,500,0009.8%
MUFG Bank, Ltd.$160,000,000$62,500,000$62,500,000$75,000,000$360,000,00010.1%
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.$160,000,000$62,500,000$62,500,000$285,000,0008.0%
BNP Paribas$160,000,000$160,000,0004.5%
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.$160,000,000$160,000,0004.5%
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation$115,000,000$50,000,000$60,000,000$225,000,0006.3%
DBS Bank Ltd.$115,000,000$50,000,000$50,000,000$75,000,000$290,000,0008.2%
Capital One N.A.$115,000,000$37,500,000$37,500,000$190,000,0005.4%

4152-3290-5274.5


LenderRevolving Credit FacilityTerm Loan A-1Term Loan A 2Term Loan A-3Total Allocation%
U.S. Bank National Association$115,000,000$47,500,000$37,500,000$25,000,000$225,000,0006.3%
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, New York Branch$115,000,000$32,500,000$32,500,000$100,000,000$280,000,0007.9%
Citibank N.A.$115,000,000$35,000,000$150,000,0004.2%
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited$50,000,000$50,000,000$50,000,000$75,000,000$225,000,0006.3%
Barclays Bank PLC – New York Branch$50,000,000$50,000,0001.4%
State Bank of India, Los Angeles Agency$5,000,000$25,000,000$30,000,0000.8%
China Citic Bank International Limited$13,500,000$13,500,000$25,000,000$52,000,0001.5%
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LenderRevolving Credit FacilityTerm Loan A-1Term Loan A 2Term Loan A-3Total Allocation%
Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Los Angeles Branch$10,000,000$15,000,000$25,000,0000.7%
Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, Ltd., New York Branch$10,000,000$10,000,000$20,000,0000.6%
Mega International Commercial Bank Co., Ltd. New York Branch$9,000,000$9,000,000$18,000,0000.6%
Bank of Taiwan, Los Angeles Branch$10,000,000$10,000,0000.3%
KeyBank National Association$75,000,000$75,000,0002.1%
Total Allocations
$1,750,000,000
$600,000,000
$600,000,000
$600,000,000
$3,550,000,000100.0%





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EXHIBIT C
(to Sixth Amendment)

EXHIBIT D
(to Credit Agreement)



BORROWING REQUEST

The Bank of Nova Scotia GWS Loan Operations
720 King Street West, 2nd Floor Toronto, Ontario
M5V 2T3
Attn:    U.S. Loan Agency Operations



SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Borrowing Request is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2019 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (“STX”) (as successor to Seagate Technology unlimited company), SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Borrower”), the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and The Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Administrative Agent”). Terms used herein, unless otherwise defined herein, have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.
The Borrower hereby requests that a [Revolving Loan][Term Loan A1][Term Loan A2][Term Loan A3] be made in the aggregate principal amount of $    on     
, 202_ as [an ABR Borrowing] [a SOFR Borrowing having an initial Interest Period of [one] [three] [six] month(s)]1.
The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders as follows:

(a)    The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of the Borrowing requested hereby, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly related to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).
image_0.jpg
1 NOTE: TWELVE-MONTH INTEREST PERIODS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE WITH THE CONSENTOF EACH LENDER.


(b)    At the time of and immediately after giving effect to the Borrowing requested hereby, no Default has occurred and be continuing.

The Borrower agrees that if prior to the time of the making of the Loans requested hereby any matter certified to herein by it will not be true and correct at such time as if then made, it will immediately so notify the Administrative Agent.
Please wire transfer the proceeds of the Borrowing to the accounts of the following persons at the financial institutions indicated respectively:



Amount to be Wired
Person to be Paid
Name, Address, etc. of Banks
Name
Account No.

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image_9.jpg
Attention:     

image_9.jpg

image_9.jpg

image_9.jpg

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image_9.jpg
Attention:     
Balance
The Borrower

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Attention:     


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Borrowing Request to be executed and delivered, and the certifications and warranties contained herein to be made, by its duly authorized officer this day of     , 202_.

SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN


By:_______________________________
       Title:
       










EXHIBIT D
(to Sixth Amendment)

EXHIBIT F
(to Credit Agreement)


INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

The Bank of Nova Scotia GWS Loan Operations
720 King Street West, 2nd Floor Toronto, Ontario M5V 2T3
Attn:    U.S. Loan Agency Operations

SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN
Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Interest Election Request is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2019 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (“STX”) (as successor to Seagate Technology unlimited company), SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN, an exempted limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Borrower”), the various financial institutions and other Persons from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”) and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as administrative agent (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”). Terms used herein, unless otherwise defined herein, have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.

[The Borrower hereby requests that]1 on      , 202_:
(1)    $     of the presently outstanding principal amount of the [Revolving Loan][Term Loan A1][Term Loan A2][Term Loan A3] originally made on
     , 202_, presently being maintained as [ABR Loans] [SOFR Loans];

(2)    be [converted into] [continued as],

(3)    [SOFR Loans having an interest Period of [one] [three] [six] month(s)]2 [ABR Loans].



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1 NOTE: IF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT HAS OCCURRED AND IS CONTINUING AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AT THE REQUEST OF THE REQUIRED LENDERS, SO NOTIFIES THE BORROWER, THEN, SO LONG AS AN EVENT OF DEFAULT IS CONTINUING (I) NO OUTSTANDING BORROWING MAY BE CONVERTED TO OR CONTINUED AS A SOFR BORROWING AND (II) UNLESS REPAID, EACH SOFR BORROWING SHALL BE CONVERTED TO AN ABR REVOLVING BORROWING AT THE END OF THE INTEREST PERIOD APPLICABLE THERETO.
2 NOTE: TWELVE-MONTH INTEREST PERIOD IS ONLY AVAILABLE WITH THE CONSENT OF EACH LENDER.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Interest Election Request to be executed and delivered, and the certifications and warranties contained herein to be made, by its duly authorized officer this day of     , 202_.

SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN


By:_______________________________
       Name:

       Title:
       



EXHIBIT E
(to Sixth Amendment)

EXHIBIT I-3
(To Credit Agreement)

TERM LOAN A3


[$DOLLAR AMOUNT]         , 202_

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN, an exempted limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Borrower”), promises to pay to the order of [NAME OF LENDER] (the “Lender”) on the Maturity Date for Term Loan A3 the principal sum of [TO COME] [($TO COME)] or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Term Loan A3 shown on the schedule attached hereto (and any continuation thereof) made (or continued) by the Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2019 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (as successor to Seagate Technology Unlimited Company), various financial institutions and other Persons from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”), THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as the Administrative Agent and certain other institutions as syndication and documentation agents. Terms used in this Term Note A3, unless otherwise defined herein, have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof from time to time outstanding from the date hereof until maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and, after maturity upon demand, until paid in full at the rates per annum and on the dates specified in the Credit Agreement, as well as any other amounts that may be due to the Lender upon maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) under or in respect of this Term Note A3.

Payments of both principal and interest are to be made in dollars in same day or immediately available funds to the account designated by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Lender to make (or cause to be made) appropriate notations on the grid attached to this Term Note A3 (or on any continuation of such grid), which notations, if made, shall evidence, inter alia, the date of, the outstanding principal amount of, and the interest rate and Interest Period applicable to the Term Loan A3 evidenced thereby. Such notations shall, to the extent not inconsistent with notations made by the Administrative Agent in the Register, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower absent manifest error; provided, that the failure of the Lender to make any such notations shall not limit or otherwise affect any Obligations of any Loan Party.

This Term Note A3 is one of the promissory notes referred to in, and evidences Indebtedness incurred under, the Credit Agreement, to which reference is made for a statement






of the terms and conditions on which the Borrower is permitted and required to make prepayments and repayments of the unpaid principal amount of the Indebtedness evidenced by this Term Note A3 and on which such Indebtedness may be declared to be immediately due and payable. Any principal of the Term Loan A3 evidenced by this Term Note A3 that is repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

All parties hereto, whether as makers, endorsers or otherwise, severally waive presentment for payment, demand, protest and notice of dishonor.

THIS TERM NOTE A3 SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN


By:_______________________________
       Name:
  
       Title:
       

-2-


TERM LOAN A3AND PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS








Date
Amount of Term Loan A3 Made





Interest Period
Amount of Principal Repaid
Unpaid Principal Balance





Total




Notation Made By
Alternate
Base Rate
Adjusted
Term SOFR
Rate
Alternate
Base Rate
Adjusted
Term SOFR
Rate
Alternate Base
Rate
Adjusted
Term SOFR
Rate

Exhibit 31.1
 
CERTIFICATION
 
I, Dr. William D. Mosley, certify that:
 
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Seagate Technology Holdings plc;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Date:October 27, 2022/s/ Dr. William D. Mosley
  Name:Dr. William D. Mosley
  Title:Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
   

Exhibit 31.2
 
CERTIFICATION
 
I, Gianluca Romano, certify that:
 
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Seagate Technology Holdings plc;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Date:October 27, 2022/s/ Gianluca Romano
  Name:Gianluca Romano

  Title:Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Exhibit 32.1
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
This certification is not to be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and does not constitute a part of the Quarterly Report of Seagate Technology Holdings plc (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”).
 
In connection with the Report, we, Dr. William D. Mosley, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Gianluca Romano, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
 
Date: October 27, 2022/s/ Dr. William D. Mosley
 Name:Dr. William D. Mosley
 Title:Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  
Date: October 27, 2022/s/ Gianluca Romano
 Name:Gianluca Romano
 Title:Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)