UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 19, 2010 (January 12, 2010)

 

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   000-32651   52-1165937

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +1 212 401 8700

No change since last report

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

(a) Indenture

On January 15, 2010, The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. ( “NASDAQ OMX”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), entered into an Indenture (the “Indenture”), the form of which was filed as Exhibit 4.16 to NASDAQ OMX’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (No. 333-164284) (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on January 11, 2010.

(b) Supplemental Indenture

On January 15, 2010, NASDAQ OMX and the Trustee entered into a Supplemental Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture. The Supplemental Indenture relates to NASDAQ OMX’s 4.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Notes”) and its 5.55% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Senior Notes” and, together with the 2015 Notes, the “Senior Notes”). On January 15, 2010, NASDAQ OMX issued and sold $400 million aggregate principal amount of the 2015 Senior Notes and $600 million aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Senior Notes in a public offering pursuant to the Registration Statement. The Supplemental Indenture includes forms of the 2015 Senior Notes and the 2020 Senior Notes.

The 2015 Senior Notes will pay interest semiannually at a rate of 4.00% per annum until January 15, 2015 and the 2020 Senior Notes will pay interest semiannually at a rate of 5.55% per annum until January 15, 2020. NASDAQ OMX used the net proceeds from this offering, together with the net proceeds of approximately $700 million from borrowings under its new credit facility (described below) and cash on hand, to pay down and terminate its existing credit facility and pay transaction costs incurred in connection with the existing credit facility and the new credit facility.

(c) Underwriting Agreement

On January 12, 2010, NASDAQ OMX entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representatives of the several Underwriters listed on Schedule A thereto, relating to the sale by NASDAQ OMX of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 2015 Senior Notes and $600 million aggregate principal amount of 2020 Senior Notes.

Some of the underwriters or their affiliates have provided investment or commercial banking services to NASDAQ OMX or its affiliates in the past and are likely to do so in the future, including in connection with NASDAQ OMX’s new credit facility.

The Underwriting Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 1.1, the Indenture is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1, the Supplemental Indenture is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.2 and the Credit Facility is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.3. The descriptions of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and the Credit Facility herein are qualified by reference thereto.

(d) Credit Facility

On January 15, 2010, NASDAQ OMX entered into a new, $950 million, senior, unsecured three-year credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of financial institutions. The Credit Facility provides for an unfunded $250 million revolving credit commitment (including a swingline facility and letter of credit facility), a $350 million funded Tranche A term loan (the “Term Loan A”) and a $350 million funded Tranche X term loan (the “Term Loan X” and, together with Term Loan A the “Term Loans”). The loans under the Credit Facility have a variable interest rate based on either the London Interbank Offered Rate or the Federal Funds Rate, plus an applicable margin that varies with NASDAQ OMX’s debt rating.

The Credit Facility contains financial and operating covenants. Financial covenants include an interest expense coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. Operating covenants include limitations on NASDAQ OMX’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens on assets, enter into affiliate transactions and pay dividends.

Bank of America, N.A. serves as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing bank and a lender. Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.) serve as Nordic lead arrangers and joint bookrunning managers. Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. serve as U.S. lead arrangers and joint bookrunning managers. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.) serve as documentation agents and lenders.

 

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Item 1.02. Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information included in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.02.

 

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation of a Registrant.

The information included in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On January 15, 2010, NASDAQ OMX issued a press release announcing the completion of its refinancing transactions, including the closing of its $1 billion underwritten public offering of senior notes, the closing of its $950 senior unsecured credit facility and the termination of its existing senior secured credit facilities. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

As previously disclosed, the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans was decreased from an expected $1,000 million to $700 million in connection with the upsizing of the Senior Notes offering to $1,000 million. As a result of this decrease, the upfront fee payable by NASDAQ OMX to the lenders as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan A increased from 1.00% to approximately 1.43% and the upfront fee payable by NASDAQ OMX to the lenders as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan X increased from 0.50% to approximately 0.71%. The total dollar amount of the upfront fee payable by NASDAQ OMX to the lenders in connection with the Term Loans was unchanged.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K:

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

 1.1    Underwriting Agreement, dated January 12, 2010, among Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as representatives of the several Underwriters listed on Schedule A thereto, and The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
 4.1    Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2010, between The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee.
 4.2    Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2010, among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee.
 4.3    Credit Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2010, among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), as Nordic Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunning Managers, Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as U.S. Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunning Managers and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.) as documentation agents.
99.1    Press Release dated January 15, 2010.

 

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: January 19, 2010     THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.
    By:   / S /    E DWARD S. K NIGHT        
    Name:   Edward S. Knight
    Title:   Executive Vice President and General Counsel

 

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Exhibit 1.1

EXECUTION COPY

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.

$400,000,000 4.00% Senior Notes due 2015

$600,000,000 5.55% Senior Notes due 2020

Underwriting Agreement

January 12, 2010

Banc of America Securities LLC

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

    As Representatives of the several

    Underwriters listed in Schedule

    1 hereto

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

277 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10172

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters, as listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives (the “ Representatives ”), $400,000,000 principal amount of its 4.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “ 2015 Notes ”) and $600,000,000 principal amount of its 5.55% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ 2020 Notes ”, and together with the 2015 Notes, the “ Securities ”). The Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture (as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture to be dated as of the Closing Date (as defined below), the “ Indenture ”), to be dated as of the Closing Date, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

The Company hereby confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of the Securities, as follows:

The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “ Securities Act ”), a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-164284), including a prospectus (the “ Basic Prospectus ”). The Company has also filed, or proposes to file, with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act a prospectus supplement relating to the Securities (the “ Prospectus Supplement ”). Such registration statement, as amended at the time it becomes effective, including the information, if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness (“ Rule 430 Information ”), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”; and as used herein, the term “Prospectus” means the Basic Prospectus as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement in the form first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Securities and the term “Preliminary Prospectus” means the preliminary prospectus supplement dated January 11, 2010 specifically relating to the Securities together with the Basic


Prospectus. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “ Rule 462 Registration Statement ”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Any reference in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of such Basic Prospectus, Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be and any reference to “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after such date under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “ Exchange Act ”) that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

At or prior to the time when sales of the Securities were first made (the “ Time of Sale ”), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively, the “ Time of Sale Information ”): the Preliminary Prospectus and each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Annex A hereto, if any, as constituting part of the Time of Sale Information.

1. Purchase of the Securities by the Underwriters; Reimbursement of Company Expenses .

(a) The Company agrees to issue and sell the Securities to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective principal amount of Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule 1 hereto at a price equal to (x) 98.840% of the principal amount thereof in the case of the 2015 Notes (the “ 2015 Purchase Price ”) and (y) 98.933% of the principal amount thereof in the case of the 2020 Notes (the “ 2020 Purchase Price ” and, together with the 2015 Purchase Price, the “ Purchase Price ”), in each case, plus accrued interest, if any, from January 15, 2010 to the Closing Date. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any of the Securities except upon payment for all the Securities to be purchased as provided herein.

(b) The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Securities as soon after the effectiveness of this Agreement as in the judgment of the Representatives is advisable, and initially to offer the Securities on the terms set forth in the Prospectus. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters may offer and sell Securities to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter and that any such affiliate may offer and sell Securities purchased by it to or through any Underwriter.

(c) The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Securities contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as financial advisors or fiduciaries to, or agents of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, neither the Representatives nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall not, either jointly or severally, have any responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by any Underwriter of the Company, and the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of such Underwriter, and shall not be on behalf of the Company or any other person.

 

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(d) If the Closing Date occurs, the Representatives shall reimburse the Company for its actual, out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the offering of the Notes promptly upon demand, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $585,000.

2. Payment and Delivery .

(a) Payment for and delivery of the Securities will be made at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on January 15, 2010, or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing. The time and date of such payment and delivery is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.”

(b) Payment for the Securities shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account(s) specified by the Company to the Representatives against delivery to the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), for the account of the Underwriters, of one or more global notes representing the Securities (collectively, the “ Global Note ”), with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of the Securities duly paid by the Company. The Global Note will be made available for inspection by the Representatives not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:

(a) Preliminary Prospectus. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Preliminary Prospectus.

(b) Time of Sale Information . The Time of Sale Information, at the Time of Sale did not, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Time of Sale Information. No statement of material fact included in the Prospectus has been omitted from the Time of Sale Information and no statement of material fact included in the Time of Sale Information that is required to be included in the Prospectus has been omitted therefrom.

(c) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an

 

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offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below) an “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) the Prospectus, (iv) the documents listed on Annex A hereto as constituting part of the Time of Sale Information and (v) any electronic road show or other written communications, in each case approved in writing in advance by the Representatives. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby) and, when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

(d) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act that has been filed with the Commission not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof; and no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act has been received by the Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, the Registration Statement complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “ Trust Indenture Act ”), and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to (i) that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act or (ii) any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

(e) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act, and none of such documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and any further documents so

 

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filed and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Time of Sale Information, when such documents become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(f) Financial Statements . The financial statements and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and present fairly the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein; and the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly the information shown thereby ; and any pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidance with respect to pro forma financial information, and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are reasonable and are set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.

(g) No Material Adverse Change . Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, (i) there have not been any changes in the capital stock (other than as a result of issuances pursuant to employee stock option plans in existence on September 30, 2009), issuances of long-term debt, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock, or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, financial position, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.

(h) Organization and Good Standing . The Company and each of its subsidiaries have been duly organized and are validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged,

 

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except where the failure to be so qualified, in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Securities (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”). The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed on Annex C to this Agreement.

(i) Capitalization . The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization” and all the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each of the Company’s subsidiaries have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (except in the case of any foreign subsidiary, for directors’ qualifying shares and except as otherwise described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus) and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party, other than to the extent required by the Company’s credit agreement to be dated as of January 15, 2010 (together with any other documents, agreements or instruments delivered in connection therewith, the “ Credit Facility ”).

(j) Due Authorization . The Company has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Securities, the Indenture and the Credit Facility (collectively, the “ Transaction Documents ”) and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery of each of the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby has been duly and validly taken.

(k) The Indenture . The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement and on the Closing Date was or will have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability (collectively, the “ Enforceability Exceptions ”).

(l) The Securities . The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(m) Underwriting Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(n) Other Transaction Documents . The Credit Facility has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the other parties thereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

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(o) Descriptions of the Transaction Documents . Each Transaction Document conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.

(p) No Violation or Default . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject; or (iii) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(q) No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance by the Company with the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(r) No Consents Required . No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance by the Company with the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required under applicable state or foreign securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters.

(s) Legal Proceedings . Except as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and no such investigations, actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or, to the best knowledge of the Company contemplated by any governmental or regulatory authority or by others and (i) there

 

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are no current or pending legal, governmental or regulatory actions, suits or proceedings that are required under the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that are not so described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and (ii) there are no contracts or other documents, statutes or regulations that are required under the Securities Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.

(t) Independent Accountants . Each of Ernst & Young LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, and Grant Thornton LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of The Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc. (“ PHLX ”) and its subsidiaries, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company and PHLX and their respective subsidiaries, as applicable, within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) or, in the case of PHLX, within the meaning of Rule 101 of the Code of Professional Conduct of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its interpretations and rulings thereunder, and as required by the Securities Act.

(u) Title to Intellectual Property . The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses and know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses; and the conduct of their respective businesses will not conflict in any material respect with any such rights of others, and the Company and its subsidiaries have not received any notice of any claim of infringement of or conflict with any such rights of others which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding), would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(v) No Undisclosed Relationships . No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders or other affiliates of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other, that would be required by the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that is not so described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.

(w) Investment Company Act . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus none of them will be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(x) Taxes . The Company and its subsidiaries have paid all federal, state, local and foreign taxes and filed all tax returns required to be paid or filed through the date hereof, except insofar as any failures to file such returns or pay such taxes would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and there are no tax deficiencies that have been, or could reasonably be expected to be, asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except to the extent of any tax deficiency that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(y) Licenses and Permits . The Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, and except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, certificate, permit or authorization or has any reason to believe that any such license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course.

(z) Compliance With ERISA . (i) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”), for which the Company or any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”)), would have any liability (each, a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code; (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; (iii) for each Plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no “accumulated funding deficiency” as defined in Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (iv) the fair market value of the assets of each Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan); (v) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; and (vi) neither the Company nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the PBGC, in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including a “multiemployer plan,” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).

(aa) Disclosure Controls . The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company and its subsidiaries have carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of their disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.

(bb) Accounting Controls . The Company and its subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing

 

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similar functions, 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. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as disclosed in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the Company’s internal controls.

(cc) Insurance . The Company and its subsidiaries have insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including business interruption insurance, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as are adequate to protect the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has (i) received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage at reasonable cost from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business.

(dd) Stock Options . With respect to the stock options (the “ Stock Options ”) granted pursuant to the stock-based compensation plans of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “ Company Stock Plans ”), (i) each Stock Option designated by the Company or the relevant subsidiary of the Company at the time of grant as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code so qualifies, (ii) each grant of a Stock Option was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Stock Option was by its terms to be effective (the “Grant Date”) by all necessary corporate action, (iii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Company Stock Plans, the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, including the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market and any other exchange on which the securities of the Company or the relevant subsidiary of the Company are traded, (iv) the per share exercise price of each Stock Option was equal to or greater than the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the applicable Grant Date and (v) each such grant was properly accounted for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the consolidated financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company and disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Commission in accordance with the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no policy or practice of the Company or any of its subsidiaries of granting, Stock Options prior to, or otherwise coordinating the grant of Stock Options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its subsidiaries or their results of operations or prospects.

(ee) No Unlawful Payments . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the best knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic

 

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government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or (iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

(ff) Compliance with Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(gg) Compliance with OFAC . None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is currently in violation of any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“ OFAC ”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Securities hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person or activities currently in violation of any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(hh) No Restrictions on Subsidiaries . Except as required by the Credit Facility and except for any other credit facilities that would not restrict the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Notes, no subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.

(ii) No Broker’s Fees . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against any of them or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.

(jj) No Registration Rights . No person has the right to require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission or the issuance and sale of the Securities.

(kk) No Stabilization . The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.

(ll) Margin Rules . Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.

 

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(mm) Forward-Looking Statements . No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in any of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

(nn) Statistical and Market Data . Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

(oo) Sarbanes-Oxley Act . There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

(pp) Status under the Securities Act . The Company is not an “ineligible issuer” and is a “well-known seasoned issuer,” in each case as defined under the Securities Act, in each case at the times specified in the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Securities.

4. Further Agreements of the Company . The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter that:

(a) Required Filings. The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act, will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including the Term Sheet in the form of Annex B hereto) to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and will file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities; and the Company will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company will pay the registration fees for this offering within the time period required by Rule 456(b)(1)(i) under the Securities Act (without giving effect to the proviso therein) and in any event prior to the Closing Date.

(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, without charge, to the Representatives, during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein) and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as the Representatives may reasonably request. As used herein, the term “Prospectus Delivery Period” means such period of time after the first date of the public offering of the Securities as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Securities is required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities Act) in connection with sales of the Securities by any Underwriter or dealer.

(c) Amendments or Supplements; Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus

 

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with respect to this offering, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object.

(d) The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing, (i) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (ii) when any supplement to the Prospectus or any amendment to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been filed; (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement or any other request by the Commission for any additional information; (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act; (v) of the occurrence of any event within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information or any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; (vi) of the receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and (vii) of the receipt by the Company of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offer and sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification of the Securities and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

(e) Time of Sale Information . If at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which any of the Time of Sale Information as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement any of the Time of Sale Information to comply with law, the Company will immediately notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to any of the Time of Sale Information as may be necessary so that the statements in any of the Time of Sale Information as so amended or supplemented will not, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that any of the Time of Sale Information will comply with law.

(f) Ongoing Compliance . If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii)

 

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it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, the Company will immediately notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representative may designate, such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law.

(g) Blue Sky Compliance . The Company will qualify the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the offering and distribution of the Securities; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

(h) Clear Market . During the period from the date hereof through and including the date that is 30 days after the date hereof, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company and having a tenor of more than one year.

(i) Earning Statement . The Company will make generally available to its security holders and the Representatives as soon as practicable an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement.

(j) Use of Proceeds . The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds.”

(k) No Stabilization . The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.

(l) Record Retention . The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.

5. Certain Agreements of the Underwriters . Each Underwriter hereby represents and agrees that:

(a) It has not and will not use, authorize use of, refer to, or participate in the planning for use of, any “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that, solely as a result of use by such underwriter, would not trigger an obligation to file such free writing prospectus with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Annex A or prepared pursuant

 

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to Section 3(c) or Section 4(c) above (including any electronic road show), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such Underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in clauses (i) or (iii), an “ Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Underwriters may use a term sheet substantially in the form of Annex B hereto without the consent of the Company.

(b) It is not subject to any pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act with respect to the offering (and will promptly notify the Company if any such proceeding against it is initiated during the Prospectus Delivery Period).

6. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligation of each Underwriter to purchase Securities on the Closing Date as provided herein is subject to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) Registration Compliance; No Stop Order . No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose, pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative.

(b) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date; and the statements of the Company and its officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date.

(c) No Downgrade . Subsequent to the earlier of (A) the Time of Sale and (B) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Securities or any other debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, or has changed its outlook with respect to, its rating of the Securities or of any other debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading).

(d) No Material Adverse Change . No event or condition of a type described in Section 3(g) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist, which event or condition is not described in the Time of Sale Information (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the effect of which in the judgment of the Representative makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.

(e) Officer’s Certificate . The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date a certificate of an executive officer of the Company who has specific knowledge of the Company’s financial matters and is satisfactory to the Representatives (i) confirming that such officer has carefully reviewed the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus and, to the best knowledge of such officer, the representations set forth in Sections

 

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3(b) and 3(d) hereof are true and correct, (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and that the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date and (iii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (a), (c) and (d) above.

(f) Comfort Letters . On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, each of Ernst & Young LLP and Grant Thornton LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Representatives, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off” date no more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(g) Opinions of Counsel and 10b-5 Statement . (1) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, United States counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, their written opinion and 10b-5 statement and (2) Edward S. Knight, Executive Vice-President and General Counsel of the Company, shall have furnished to the Underwriters his written opinion, in each case dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

(h) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters . The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date an opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(i) No Legal Impediment to Issuance . No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities.

(j) Good Standing . The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company in writing or any standard form of telecommunication, from the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

(k) Additional Documents . On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(l) Credit Facility; Release of Collateral; Use of Proceeds . (1) The Credit Facility shall be in full force and effect, (2) the Company shall have received not less than $700,000,000 gross proceeds from the term loans and (3) the Company shall have not less than $250,000,000 in availability under its revolving credit facility. The Company shall have applied the proceeds from the term loans and from the Securities to repay amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement (as such term is defined in the Credit Facility), which shall be terminated, and all security interests in collateral securing amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been released pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Representatives (or arrangements for such release satisfactory to the Representatives shall have been made).

 

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All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

7. Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, (ii) or any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter expressly for use therein.

(b) Indemnification of the Company . Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the following: the statements set forth in the “Underwriting” Section in (i) the first paragraph under the heading “Commissions and Discounts” and (ii) the first and second paragraphs under the heading “Short Positions,” in each case, in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement.

(c) Notice and Procedures . If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such person (the “ Indemnified Person ”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “ Indemnifying Person ”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under this Section 7 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided , further , that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under this Section 7. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person

 

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thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 7 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by the Representatives and any such separate firm for the Company, its directors and officers who signed the Registration Statement and any control persons of the Company shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability or claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(d) Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as

 

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the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Securities and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) Limitation on Liability . The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Securities exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.

(f) Non-Exclusive Remedies . The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

8. Termination . This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on The NASDAQ Stock Market or The New York Stock Exchange or the over-the-counter market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery, of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus.

9. Defaulting Underwriter .

(a) If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the Securities that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Securities by other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Securities, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Securities on such terms. If other persons become obligated or

 

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agree to purchase the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone the Closing Date for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section 9, purchases Securities that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.

(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such Securities that remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of all the Securities, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the principal amount of Securities that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder plus such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the principal amount of Securities that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Securities of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.

(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate principal amount of such Securities that remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of all the Securities, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9 shall be without liability on the part of the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 10 hereof and except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.

(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.

10. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the costs of reproducing and distributing each of the Transaction Documents; (iv) the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent accountants; (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for investment of the Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters); (vi) any fees charged by rating agencies for rating the Securities; (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any paying agent (including related fees and expenses of any counsel to such parties); (viii) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with the approval of the Securities for book-entry transfer by DTC, (ix) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with

 

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any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority; and (x) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “road show” presentation to potential investors.

(b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for the reasonable fees and expenses of their counsel incurred in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.

(c) If (i) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Securities for delivery to the Underwriters or (ii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Securities for any reason permitted under Section 6 of this Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.

11. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and any controlling persons referred to herein, and the affiliates, officers and directors of each Underwriter referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.

12. Survival . The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Securities and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters.

13. Certain Defined Terms . For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term “affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act and (b) the term “business day” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City.

14. Miscellaneous .

(a) Authority of the Representatives . Any action by the Underwriters hereunder may be taken by the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, and any such action taken by the Representatives shall be binding upon the Underwriters.

(b) Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Representatives c/o J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., 277 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10172 (fax: 212-622-8358); Attention: syndicate desk. Notices to the Company shall be given to The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., One Liberty Plaza, 50th Floor, New York, New York 10006, (fax: 301-978-8472); Attention: Office of General Counsel; with a copy to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Four Times Square, New York, New York 10036 (fax: 212-735-2000); Attention: Phyllis Korff and Yossi Vebman.

(c) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

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(d) Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

(e) Amendments or Waivers . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

(f) Headings . The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

Very truly yours,
THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.
By:  

              /s/ Adena T. Friedman

  Name:   Adena T. Friedman
  Title:  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

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Accepted: January 12, 2010

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

as Representatives

By:   Banc of America Securities LLC
By:  

              /s/ Caspar Bentinck

  Name:  Caspar Bentinck
  Title:    Managing Director
By:   J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
By:  

              /s/ Maria Sramek

  Name:  Maria Sramek
  Title:    Executive Director
By:   Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
By:  

              /s/ Carolyn C. Hurley

  Name:  Carolyn C. Hurley
  Title:    Vice President

 

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Schedule 1

 

Underwriter

   Principal Amount of
2015 Notes

Banc of America Securities LLC

   $ 164,000,000

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

   $ 164,000,000

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

   $ 72,000,000
      

Total

   $ 400,000,000

Underwriter

   Principal Amount of
2020 Notes

Banc of America Securities LLC

   $ 246,000,000

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

   $ 246,000,000

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

   $ 108,000,000
      

Total

   $ 600,000,000


ANNEX A

Additional Time of Sale Information

 

1. Term sheets containing the terms of the securities, substantially in the form of Annex B.


ANNEX B

Pricing Term Sheets


ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

(RELATING TO PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 11, 2010 AND

PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 11, 2010)

FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 433

REGISTRATION NUMBER 333-164284

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.

4.00% Senior Notes due 2015

Final Term Sheet

January 12, 2010

 

Issuer:    The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
Type:    SEC Registered
Ratings:*    Baa3 (stable outlook) / BBB (stable outlook)
Size:    $400,000,000
Maturity:    January 15, 2015
Coupon (Interest Rate):    4.00%
Yield to Maturity:    4.114%
Spread to Benchmark Treasury:    T + 162.5 basis points
Benchmark Treasury:    2.625% due December 2014
Benchmark Treasury Price and Yield:    100-20 1/4 and 2.489%
Interest Payment Dates:    January 15 and July 15, beginning on July 15, 2010
Redemption Provision:    Callable at any time, at the greater of par or the make-whole redemption price (Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points)
Price to Public:    99.490%
Trade Date:    January 12, 2010
Settlement Date:    January 15, 2010 (T +3)
CUSIP / ISIN:    631103 AC2 / US631103AC20

 

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Joint Book-Running Managers:   

Banc of America Securities LLC

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

Use of Proceeds:   

Our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $988.093 million, after deducing the underwriters’ discount and our estimated offering expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with the net proceeds of approximately $700 million from borrowings under our new senior credit facility and cash on hand, to repay all amounts outstanding under our existing senior secured credit facilities and to terminate the associated credit agreement.

 

We expect to enter into a senior unsecured credit agreement upon the consummation of this offering providing for up to $950 million in borrowings. The existing senior secured credit facilities that will be repaid and terminated in connection with this offering include term loan facilities with aggregate principal amount of $2,000 million, under which $1,700 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2009, and a revolving credit facility with aggregate principal amount of $75 million, under which no amounts were outstanding. The maturity date of both the term loan facilities and the revolving credit facility is February 27, 2013. As of December 31, 2009, the interest rate applicable to amounts outstanding under the term loan facilities was the LIBOR rate (set by the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate) plus 2.0%, for an effective rate of approximately 2.23094% (except with respect to $200 million of the borrowings, for which the effective rate was approximately 2.25563%).

*Note: An explanation of the significance of ratings may be obtained from the rating agencies. Generally, rating agencies base their ratings on such material and information, and such of their own investigations, studies and assumptions, as they deem appropriate. The rating of the notes should be evaluated independently from similar ratings of other securities. A credit rating of a security is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to review, revision, suspension, reduction or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency.

The Issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the Issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC can arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling or e-mailing Banc of America Securities LLC toll free at 1-800-294-1322 or dg.prospectus_distribution@bofasecurities.com , or calling J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. at the following collect number: 1-212-834-4533 or calling or e-mailing Wells Fargo Securities, LLC toll free or at 1-800-326-5897 or Prospectus.specialrequests@wachovia.com.

 

-3-


ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

(RELATING TO PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 11, 2010 AND

PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 11, 2010)

FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 433

REGISTRATION NUMBER 333-164284

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.

5.55% Senior Notes due 2020

Final Term Sheet

January 12, 2010

 

Issuer:    The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
Type:    SEC Registered
Ratings:*    Baa3 (stable outlook) / BBB (stable outlook)
Size:    $600,000,000
Maturity:    January 15, 2020
Coupon (Interest Rate):    5.55%
Yield to Maturity:    5.605%
Spread to Benchmark Treasury:    T + 187.5 basis points
Benchmark Treasury:    3.375% due November 2019
Benchmark Treasury Price and Yield:    97-03 and 3.73%
Interest Payment Dates:    January 15 and July 15, beginning on July 15, 2010
Redemption Provision:    Callable at any time, at the greater of par or the make-whole redemption price (Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points)
Price to Public:    99.583%
Trade Date:    January 12, 2010
Settlement Date:    January 15, 2010 (T +3)
CUSIP / ISIN:    631103 AD0 / US631103AD03

 

-4-


Joint Book-Running Managers:   

Banc of America Securities LLC

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

Use of Proceeds:   

Our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $988.093 million, after deducing the underwriters’ discount and our estimated offering expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with the net proceeds of approximately $700 million from borrowings under our new senior credit facility and cash on hand, to repay all amounts outstanding under our existing senior secured credit facilities and to terminate the associated credit agreement.

 

We expect to enter into a senior unsecured credit agreement upon the consummation of this offering providing for up to $950 million in borrowings. The existing senior secured credit facilities that will be repaid and terminated in connection with this offering include term loan facilities with aggregate principal amount of $2,000 million, under which $1,700 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2009, and a revolving credit facility with aggregate principal amount of $75 million, under which no amounts were outstanding. The maturity date of both the term loan facilities and the revolving credit facility is February 27, 2013. As of December 31, 2009, the interest rate applicable to amounts outstanding under the term loan facilities was the LIBOR rate (set by the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate) plus 2.0%, for an effective rate of approximately 2.23094% (except with respect to $200 million of the borrowings, for which the effective rate was approximately 2.25563%).

*Note: An explanation of the significance of ratings may be obtained from the rating agencies. Generally, rating agencies base their ratings on such material and information, and such of their own investigations, studies and assumptions, as they deem appropriate. The rating of the notes should be evaluated independently from similar ratings of other securities. A credit rating of a security is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to review, revision, suspension, reduction or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency.

The Issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the Issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC can arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling or e-mailing Banc of America Securities LLC toll free at 1-800-294-1322 or dg.prospectus_distribution@bofasecurities.com , or calling J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. at the following collect number: 1-212-834-4533 or calling or e-mailing Wells Fargo Securities, LLC toll free or at 1-800-326-5897 or Prospectus.specialrequests@wachovia.com.

 

-5-


ANNEX C

Subsidiaries

Domestic

Agora-X, LLC

Boston Options Exchange Regulation, LLC

Boston Stock Exchange Clearing Corporation

Carpenter Moore (San Francisco) LLC

Directors Desk, LLC

GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Inet Futures Exchange, LLC

INET Technology Services, LLC

International Derivatives Clearing Group, LLC

International Derivatives Clearinghouse, LLC

International Derivatives EBOT, LLC

International Derivatives Exchange LLC

Nasdaq Execution Services, LLC

NASDAQ Global, Inc.

Nasdaq International Market Initiatives, Inc.

NASDAQ OMX BX Equities, LLC

NASDAQ OMX BX, Inc.

NASDAQ OMX Futures Exchange, Inc.

NASDAQ OMX Group Corporate Services, Inc.

NASDAQ OMX Information, LLC

NASDAQ OMX PHLX, Inc.

NASDAQ Options Services, LLC

Nasdaq Technology Services, LLC

Norway Acquisition LLC

OM Technology (US) Inc.

OMX (US) Inc

The Independent Research Network, LLC

The NASDAQ OMX Group Educational Foundation, Inc.

The NASDAQ Options Market LLC

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

The Stock Clearing Corporation of Philadelphia

The Trade Reporting Facility, LLC

International

AB NASDAQ OMX Vilnius

Armenia Stock Exchange

AS Arvelduskoda

AS Eesti Väärtpaberikeskus

AS Emerging Nordic Research

AS Latvijas Centralais depozitaris

AS OMX Registrikeskus

Carpenter Moore Insurance Services Ltd.

Central Depositary of Armenia

Clearing Control CC AB


Eignarhaidsfelagid Verdbrefathing hf.

Findata AB

Icelandic Securities Depository

Nasdaq Canada Inc.

Nasdaq Global Funds (Ireland) Limited

Nasdaq International Limited

NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen A/S

NASDAQ OMX Europe Limited

NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Oy

NASDAQ OMX Holding AB

NASDAQ OMX Holding Danmark A/S

NASDAQ OMX Holding Luxembourg Sàrl

NASDAQ OMX Iceland hf.

NASDAQ OMX Nordic Oy

NASDAQ OMX Riga, AS

NASDAQ OMX Stockholm AB

NASDAQ OMX Tallinn AS

NASDAQ OMX Technology Support AB

Nightingale Acquisition Limited

Nord Pool Consulting AS

OM London Exchange Ltd

OM Technology Canada Inc.

OM Technology Consulting (Shanghai) Company Ltd.

OMX AB

OMX Broker Services AB

OMX Capital Insurance AG

OMX Derivatives A/S

OMX Germany GmbH

OMX Ltd (Hong Kong)

OMX Netherlands BV

OMX Netherlands Holding BV

OMX Pte Ltd

OMX Technology AB

OMX Technology Australia Pty Limited

OMX Technology Energy Systems AS

OMX Technology (Ireland) Ltd

OMX Technology Italy Srl

OMX Technology (Japan) Limited

OMX Technology Ltd

OMX Technology (UK) Ltd.

OMX Treasury AB

OMX Treasury Euro AB

OMX Treasury Euro Holding AB

Power Clearing Systems AS

Shareholder.com BV

Stockholm Fondbörs AB

Stockholmsbörsen IT Support KB

UAB OMX Nordic Exchange Service Provider

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of

January 15, 2010

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Trustee

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS*

 

          PAGE
ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS   

Section 1.01

   Definitions    2
ARTICLE II   
FORMS OF SECURITIES   

Section 2.01

   Terms of the Securities    12

Section 2.02

   Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication    12

Section 2.03

   Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent    13
ARTICLE III   
THE DEBT SECURITIES   

Section 3.01

   Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series    13

Section 3.02

   Denominations    16

Section 3.03

   Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating    16

Section 3.04

   Temporary Securities    19

Section 3.05

   Registrar and Paying Agent    19

Section 3.06

   Transfer and Exchange    20

Section 3.07

   Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities    24

Section 3.08

   Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved    24

Section 3.09

   Cancellation    25

Section 3.10

   Computation of Interest    26

Section 3.11

   Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities    26

Section 3.12

   Judgments    26

Section 3.13

   CUSIP Numbers    27
ARTICLE IV   
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES   

Section 4.01

   Applicability of Right of Redemption    27

 

* The Table of Contents is not a part of the Indenture.

 

i


Section 4.02

   Selection of Securities to be Redeemed    27

Section 4.03

   Notice of Redemption    28

Section 4.04

   Deposit of Redemption Price    28

Section 4.05

   Securities Payable on Redemption Date    29

Section 4.06

   Securities Redeemed in Part    29
ARTICLE V   
SINKING FUNDS   

Section 5.01

   Applicability of Sinking Fund    29

Section 5.02

   Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation    30

Section 5.03

   Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price    30

Section 5.04

   Application of Sinking Fund Payment    30
ARTICLE VI   
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY   

Section 6.01

   Payments of Securities    31

Section 6.02

   Paying Agent    32

Section 6.03

   To Hold Payment in Trust    32

Section 6.04

   Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets    34

Section 6.05

   Compliance Certificate    34

Section 6.06

   Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities    34

Section 6.07

   Statement by Officers as to Default    35

Section 6.08

   Calculation of Original Issue Discount    35
ARTICLE VII   
REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS   

Section 7.01

   Events of Default    35

Section 7.02

   Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment    37

Section 7.03

   Other Remedies    38

Section 7.04

   Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact    39

Section 7.05

   Priorities    39

Section 7.06

   Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults    40

Section 7.07

   Limitation on Suits    40

Section 7.08

   Undertaking for Costs    41

Section 7.09

   Remedies Cumulative    41
ARTICLE VIII   
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS   

Section 8.01

   Evidence of Action of Securityholders    42

Section 8.02

   Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities    42

 

ii


Section 8.03

   Persons Deemed Owners    43

Section 8.04

   Effect of Consents    43
ARTICLE IX   
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS   

Section 9.01

   Purposes of Meetings    44

Section 9.02

   Call of Meetings by Trustee    44

Section 9.03

   Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders    44

Section 9.04

   Qualifications for Voting    44

Section 9.05

   Regulation of Meetings    45

Section 9.06

   Voting    45

Section 9.07

   No Delay of Rights by Meeting    46
ARTICLE X   

REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND

SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS

  

Section 10.01

   Reports by Trustee    46

Section 10.02

   Reports by the Company    46

Section 10.03

   Securityholders’ Lists    47
ARTICLE XI   
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE   

Section 11.01

   Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity    47

Section 11.02

   Duties of Trustee    50

Section 11.03

   Notice of Defaults    51

Section 11.04

   Eligibility; Disqualification    51

Section 11.05

   Registration and Notice; Removal    52

Section 11.06

   Successor Trustee by Appointment    53

Section 11.07

   Successor Trustee by Merger    54

Section 11.08

   Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate    55

Section 11.09

   Appointment of Authenticating Agent    55

Section 11.10

   Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders    56
ARTICLE XII   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE   

Section 12.01

   Applicability of Article    56

Section 12.02

   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture    56

Section 12.03

   Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations    57

Section 12.04

   Repayment to Company    58

Section 12.05

   Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations    59

 

iii


Section 12.06

   Deposits to Be Held in Escrow    59

Section 12.07

   Application of Trust Money    59

Section 12.08

   Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies    60
ARTICLE XIII   
IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS   

Section 13.01

   No Personal Liability    60
ARTICLE XIV   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   

Section 14.01

   Without Consent of Securityholders    61

Section 14.02

   With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations    63

Section 14.03

   Trustee Protected    64

Section 14.04

   Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture    64

Section 14.05

   Notation on or Exchange of Securities    64

Section 14.06

   Conformity with TIA    65
ARTICLE XV   
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES   

Section 15.01

   Agreement to Subordinate    65

Section 15.02

   Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities    65

Section 15.03

   No Payment on Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness    66

Section 15.04

   Payments on Securities Permitted    67

Section 15.05

   Authorization of Securityholders to Trustee to Effect Subordination    67

Section 15.06

   Notices to Trustee    67

Section 15.07

   Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness    68

Section 15.08

   Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness    68

Section 15.09

   Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent    68

Section 15.10

   Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance    69

Section 15.11

   Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness    69
ARTICLE XVI   
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS   

Section 16.01

   Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent    69

Section 16.02

   Trust Indenture Act Controls    70

Section 16.03

   Notices to the Company and Trustee    70

Section 16.04

   Notices to Securityholders; Waiver    71

Section 16.05

   Legal Holiday    71

Section 16.06

   Effects of Headings and Table of Contents    71

 

iv


Section 16.07

   Successors and Assigns    71

Section 16.08

   Separability Clause    72

Section 16.09

   Benefits of Indenture    72

Section 16.10

   Counterparts Originals    72

Section 16.11

   Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury    72

Section 16.12

   Force Majeure    72

Section 16.13

   U.S.A. Patriot Act    72

 

v


INDENTURE dated as of January 15, 2010, among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as provided in this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

That, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof for the equal and proportionate benefit of all of the present and future Holders of the Securities, each party agrees and covenants as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

(b) unless otherwise defined in this Indenture or the context otherwise requires, all terms used herein without definition which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(d) references to “Article” or “Section” or other subdivision herein are references to an Article, Section or other subdivision of the Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires.


Section 1.01 Definitions .

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in this Section 1.01 shall for all purposes of this Indenture have the meanings hereinafter set forth:

Affiliate:

The term “Affiliate,” with respect to any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Authenticating Agent:

The term “Authenticating Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.09.

Board of Directors:

The term “Board of Directors” shall mean either the board of directors of the Company or the executive or any other committee of that board duly authorized to act in respect hereof.

Board Resolution:

The term “Board Resolution” shall mean a copy of a resolution or resolutions certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or by a committee of the Board of Directors to the extent that any such other committee has been authorized by the Board of Directors to establish or approve the matters contemplated) and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day:

The term “Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Capital Stock:

The term “Capital Stock” shall mean:

(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

 

2


(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

Code:

The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as in effect on the date hereof.

Company:

The term “Company” shall mean the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

Company Order:

The term “Company Order” shall mean a written order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Controller, Assistant Controller, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Corporate Trust Office:

The term “Corporate Trust Office,” or other similar term, shall mean the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 45 Broadway, 14 th Floor, New York, New York 10006, Attention: Corporate Trust Services, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

Currency:

The term “Currency” shall mean U.S. Dollars or Foreign Currency.

Default:

The term “Default” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.03.

Defaulted Interest:

The term “Defaulted Interest” shall have the same meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b).

 

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Depositary:

The term “Depositary” shall mean, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series.

Designated Currency:

The term “Designated Currency” shall have the same meaning assigned to it in Section 3.12.

Discharged:

The term “Discharged” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 12.03.

Event of Default:

The term “Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

Exchange Act:

The term “Exchange Act” shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Exchange Rate:

The term “Exchange Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 7.01.

Floating Rate Security:

The term “Floating Rate Security” shall mean a Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 3.01.

Foreign Currency:

The term “Foreign Currency” shall mean a currency issued by the government of any country other than the United States or a composite currency, the value of which is determined by reference to the values of the currencies of any group of countries.

GAAP:

The term “GAAP,” with respect to any computations required or permitted hereunder, shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States as in effect

 

4


from time to time; provided, however if the Company is required by the SEC to adopt (or is permitted to adopt and so adopts) a different accounting framework, including but not limited to the International Financial Reporting Standards, “GAAP” shall mean such new accounting framework as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation, in each case, those accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.

Global Security:

The term “Global Security” shall mean any Security that evidences all or part of a series of Securities, issued in fully-registered certificated form to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 3.03 and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 3.03(g).

Holder; Holder of Securities:

The terms “Holder” and “Holder of Securities” are defined under “Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder.”

Indebtedness:

The term “Indebtedness” shall mean any and all obligations of a Person for money borrowed which, in accordance with GAAP, would be reflected on the balance sheet of such Person as a liability on the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined.

Indenture:

The term “Indenture” or “this Indenture” shall mean this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01; provided, however, that if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series of Securities, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.01, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee, was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term “Indenture” for a particular series of Securities shall only include the supplemental indentures applicable thereto.

 

5


Individual Securities:

The term “Individual Securities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.01(p).

Interest:

The term “interest” shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, interest payable on any Securities, and with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

Interest Payment Date:

The term “Interest Payment Date” shall mean, with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment:

The term “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01(b).

Maturity:

The term “Maturity,” with respect to any Security, shall mean the date on which the principal of such Security shall become due and payable as therein and herein provided, whether by declaration, call for redemption or otherwise.

Members:

The term “Members” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.03(i).

Officer’s Certificate:

The term “Officer’s Certificate” shall mean a certificate signed by any of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, the President or a Vice President, Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 16.01 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.

Opinion of Counsel:

The term “Opinion of Counsel” shall mean an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, or may be other counsel that meets the requirements provided for in Section 16.01.

 

6


Optional Sinking Fund Payment:

The term “Optional Sinking Fund Payment” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.01(b).

Original Issue Discount Security:

The term “Original Issue Discount Security” shall mean any Security that is issued with “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code and the regulations thereunder and any other Security designated by the Company as issued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.

Outstanding:

The term “Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Securities or portions thereof for which payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities or Securities as to which the Company’s obligations have been Discharged; provided, however, that if such Securities or portions thereof are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(c) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.07(b) or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities of a series Outstanding have performed any action hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such action, only Securities of such series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of a series have performed any action hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a

 

7


declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02 and the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount calculated pursuant to Section 3.11(b).

Paying Agent:

The term “Paying Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.02(a).

Person:

The term “Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or political subdivision thereof.

Place of Payment:

The term “Place of Payment” shall mean, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified pursuant to Section 3.01.

Predecessor Security:

The term “Predecessor Security” shall mean, with respect to any Security, every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.

Record Date:

The term “Record Date” shall mean, with respect to any interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date, the close of business on any date specified in such Security for the payment of interest pursuant to Section 3.01.

Redemption Date:

The term “Redemption Date” shall mean, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Security, which, in the case of a Floating Rate Security, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, shall be an Interest Payment Date only.

Redemption Price:

The term “Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, shall mean the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to the terms of the Security and this Indenture.

 

8


Register:

The term “Register” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).

Registrar:

The term “Registrar” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05(a).

Responsible Officers:

The term “Responsible Officers” of the Trustee hereunder shall mean any vice president, any assistant vice president, any trust officer, any assistant trust officer or any other officer associated with the corporate trust department of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

SEC:

The term “SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as constituted from time to time.

Securities Act:

The term “Securities Act” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Security:

The term “Security” or “Securities” shall have the meaning stated in the recitals and shall more particularly mean one or more of the Securities duly authenticated by the Trustee and delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

Security Custodian:

The term “Security Custodian” shall mean the custodian with respect to any Global Security appointed by the Depositary, or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be the Paying Agent.

Securityholder; Holder of Securities; Holder:

The term “Securityholder” or “Holder of Securities” or “Holder,” shall mean the Person in whose name Securities shall be registered in the Register kept for that purpose hereunder.

 

9


Senior Indebtedness:

The term “Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on (x) Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed other than (a) any Indebtedness of the Company which when incurred, and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse to the Company, (b) any Indebtedness of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries, (c) Indebtedness to any employee of the Company, (d) any liability for taxes, (e) Trade Payables and (f) any Indebtedness of the Company which is expressly subordinate in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company, and (y) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such Indebtedness. For purposes of the foregoing and the definition of “Senior Indebtedness,” the phrase “subordinated in right of payment” means debt subordination only and not lien subordination, and accordingly, (i) unsecured indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to secured indebtedness merely by virtue of the fact that it is unsecured, and (ii) junior liens, second liens and other contractual arrangements that provide for priorities among Holders of the same or different issues of indebtedness with respect to any collateral or the proceeds of collateral shall not constitute subordination in right of payment. This definition may be modified or superseded by a supplemental indenture.

Special Record Date:

The term “Special Record Date” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.08(b)(i).

Stated Maturity:

The term “Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of interest thereon, shall mean the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal (or any portion thereof) of or premium, if any, on such Security or such installment of interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary:

The term “Subsidiary,” when used with respect to any Person, shall mean:

(a) any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(b) any partnership (i) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (ii) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

 

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Successor Company:

The term “Successor Company” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.06(i).

Trade Payables:

The term “Trade Payables” means accounts payable or any other Indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities).

Trust Indenture Act; TIA:

The term “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 14.06 and except to the extent any amendment to the Trust Indenture Act expressly provides for application of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect on another date.

Trustee:

The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

U.S. Dollars:

The term “U.S. Dollars” shall mean such currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

U.S. Government Obligations:

The term “U.S. Government Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 12.03.

United States:

The term “United States” shall mean the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

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ARTICLE II

FORMS OF SECURITIES

Section 2.01 Terms of the Securities .

(a) The Securities of each series shall be substantially in the form set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, and shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which any series of the Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which any such series may be quoted, or to conform to usage, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

(b) The terms and provisions of the Securities shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication .

(a) Only such of the Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate substantially in the form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication hereinafter recited, executed by the Trustee by manual signature, shall be valid or become obligatory for any purpose or entitle the Holder thereof to any right or benefit under this Indenture.

(b) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except that any Global Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated in Section 3.01.

 

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(c) The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by the Securities shall be substantially as follows:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date of authentication:                       

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Trustee

  By:  

 

    Authorized Signatory

Section 2.03 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent . If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by such Authenticating Agent to be borne by Securities of each such series shall be substantially as follows:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date of authentication:                       

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Trustee

  By:  

[NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT]

    as Authenticating Agent
  By:  

 

    Authorized Signatory

ARTICLE III

THE DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other series, except to the extent that additional Securities of an existing series are being issued);

 

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(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 4.06, or 14.05);

(c) the dates on which or periods during which the Securities of the series may be issued, and the dates on, or the range of dates within, which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series are or may be payable or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended;

(d) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, whether such interest shall be payable in cash or additional Securities of the same series or shall accrue and increase the aggregate principal amount outstanding of such series (including if such Securities were originally issued at a discount), the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable, and the Record Dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable on such Interest Payment Dates or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the right, if any, to extend or defer interest payments and the duration of such extension or deferral;

(e) if other than U.S. Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which Securities of the series shall be denominated or in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable and any other terms concerning such payment;

(f) if the amount of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method including, but not limited to, an index based on a Currency or Currencies other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(g) if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated or stated to be payable without such election, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made and the time and the manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which the Securities are denominated or payable without such election and the Currency in which the Securities are to be paid if such election is made;

(h) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, and where Securities of any series may be presented for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series may be made;

 

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(i) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;

(j) the obligation or right, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, the Currency or Currencies in which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(k) if other than denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(l) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02;

(m) the guarantors, if any, of the Securities of the series, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination, and the release of the guarantors), if any, and any additions or changes to permit or facilitate guarantees of such Securities;

(n) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued as Original Issue Discount Securities and the amount of discount with which such Securities may be issued;

(o) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of Securities of the series in whole or in part and any addition or change in the provisions related to satisfaction and discharge;

(p) whether the Securities of the series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities, and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in such Global Security or Global Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for the Individual Securities represented thereby in definitive form registered in the name or names of Persons other than such Depositary or a nominee or nominees thereof (“Individual Securities”);

(q) the date as of which any Global Security of the series shall be dated if other than the original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(r) the form of the Securities of the series;

(s) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities or property of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any additions or changes, if any, to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;

 

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(t) whether the Securities of such series are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;

(u) any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;

(v) any addition or change in the provisions related to compensation and reimbursement of the Trustee which applies to Securities of such series;

(w) any addition or change in the provisions related to supplemental indentures set forth in Sections 14.02 and 14.04 which applies to Securities of such series;

(x) provisions, if any, granting special rights to Holders upon the occurrence of specified events;

(y) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 7.02 and any addition or change in the provisions set forth in Article VII which applies to Securities of the series;

(z) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article VI which applies to Securities of the series; and

(aa) any other terms of the Securities of such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of this Indenture with respect to such series).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or set forth in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto.

Section 3.02 Denominations . In the absence of any specification pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable only as Securities in denominations of any integral multiple of $1,000, and shall be payable only in U.S. Dollars.

Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .

(a) The Securities shall be executed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board of Directors, its Chief Executive Officer, President, one of its Vice Presidents or Treasurer. If the Person whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated and delivered, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

 

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(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities and, if required pursuant to Section 3.01, a supplemental indenture or Company Order setting forth the terms of the Securities of a series. The Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities without any further action by the Company. The Company Order shall specify the amount of Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated.

(c) In authenticating the first Securities of any series and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 11.02) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each prepared in accordance with Section 16.01 stating that the conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture have been complied with.

(d) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver the Securities under this Section 3.03 if the issue of the Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

(e) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to the Securities of such series.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of this Section 3.03, if all of the Securities of any series are not to be originally issued at the same time, then the documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 3.03 must be delivered only once prior to the authentication and delivery of the first Security of such series;

(g) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Securities, (ii) shall be registered, if in registered form, in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [THE DEPOSITARY] TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT

 

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FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF [THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY] OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [THE DEPOSITARY] (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO [THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY] OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [THE DEPOSITARY]), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, [THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY], HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.”

The aggregate principal amount of each Global Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Security Custodian, as provided in this Indenture.

(h) Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 3.01 for a Global Security in registered form must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as such Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation.

(i) Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Security Custodian under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar and any of their agents as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar or any of their agents from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Security. The Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Members and Persons that may hold interests through Members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.

(j) No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in one of the forms provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee or by an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

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Section 3.04 Temporary Securities .

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Any such temporary Security may be in the form of one or more Global Securities, representing all or a portion of the Outstanding Securities of such series. Every such temporary Security shall be executed by the Company and shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Security or Securities in lieu of which it is issued.

(b) If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

(c) Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the Individual Securities represented thereby pursuant to this Section 3.04 or Section 3.06, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount so exchanged and endorsed.

Section 3.05 Registrar and Paying Agent .

(a) The Company will keep, at an office or agency to be maintained by it in a Place of Payment where Securities may be presented for registration or presented and surrendered for registration of transfer or of exchange, and where Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable (the “Registrar”), a security register for the registration and the registration of transfer or of exchange of the Securities (the registers maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Register”), as in this Indenture provided, which Register shall at all reasonable times be open

 

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for inspection by the Trustee. Such Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Company may have one or more co-Registrars; the term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar.

(b) The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or co-Registrar not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar for any series, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 11.01. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Registrar, co-Registrar or transfer agent.

(c) The Company hereby appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Registrar in connection with the Securities and this Indenture, until such time as another Person is appointed as such.

Section 3.06 Transfer and Exchange .

(a) Transfer.

(i) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the Registrar the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee, one or more new Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations. The transfer of any Security shall not be valid as against the Company or the Trustee unless registered at the Registrar at the request of the Holder, or at the request of his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the Individual Securities represented thereby, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(b) Exchange.

(i) At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series for like aggregate principal amount of any authorized denomination or denominations, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at the Registrar.

(ii) Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

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(c) Exchange of Global Securities for Individual Securities. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be entitled to receive Individual Securities.

(i) Individual Securities shall be issued to all owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security in exchange for such interests if: (A) at any time the Depositary for the Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 3.03(h) and, in each case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, or (B) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee and the Registrar an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable.

In connection with the exchange of an entire Global Security for Individual Securities pursuant to this subsection (c), such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Individual Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Individual Securities of authorized denominations.

(ii) The owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be entitled to receive an Individual Security in exchange for such interest if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon receipt by the Security Custodian and Registrar of instructions from the Holder of a Global Security directing the Security Custodian and Registrar to (x) issue one or more Individual Securities in the amounts specified to the owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Security and (y) debit or cause to be debited an equivalent amount of beneficial interest in such Global Security, subject to the rules and regulations of the Depositary:

(A) the Security Custodian and Registrar shall notify the Company and the Trustee of such instructions, identifying the owner and amount of such beneficial interest in such Global Security;

(B) the Company shall promptly execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Individual Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver to such beneficial owner Individual Securities in an equivalent amount to such beneficial interest in such Global Security; and

(C) the Security Custodian and Registrar shall decrease such Global Security by such amount in accordance with the foregoing. In the event that the Individual Securities are not issued to each such beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Security to issue such Individual Securities, the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy

 

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pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof, the right of any beneficial Holder of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial Holder’s Securities as if such Individual Securities had been issued.

(iii) If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, the Depositary for such series of Securities may surrender a Global Security for such series of Securities in exchange in whole or in part for Individual Securities of such series on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge,

(A) to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Individual Security or new Individual Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

(B) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Individual Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

(iv) In any exchange provided for in clauses (i) through (iii), the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver Individual Securities in registered form in authorized denominations.

(v) Upon the exchange in full of a Global Security for Individual Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Individual Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

(d) All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered for such registration of transfer or exchange.

(e) Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, or for exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing.

(f) No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities. The Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to

 

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cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Company’s own expense or without expense or charge to the Holders.

(g) The Company shall not be required to (i) register, transfer or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the transmission of a notice of redemption of Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 4.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of such transmission, or (ii) register, transfer or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

(h) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer or exchange of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for all purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar or any of their agents shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

(i) In case a successor Company (“Successor Company”) has executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article XIV, any of the Securities authenticated or delivered pursuant to such transaction may, from time to time, at the request of the Successor Company, be exchanged for other Securities executed in the name of the Successor Company with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise identical to the Securities surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon Company Order of the Successor Company, shall authenticate and deliver Securities as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange. If Securities shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a Successor Company pursuant to this Section 3.06 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Securities, such Successor Company, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Securities at the time Outstanding for Securities authenticated and delivered in such new name.

(j) Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities laws.

(k) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(l) Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

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Section 3.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities .

(a) If (i) any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to them to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless, and neither the Company nor the Trustee receives notice that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, that neither gain nor loss in interest shall result from such exchange or substitution.

(b) In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay the amount due on such Security in accordance with its terms.

(c) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in respect thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

(d) Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

(e) The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 3.08 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved .

(a) Interest on any Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the Record Date. Payment of interest on Securities shall be made at the Corporate Trust Office (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01) or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

 

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(b) Any interest on any Security that is payable but is not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Record Date by virtue of his, her or its having been such a Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest (a “Special Record Date”), which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 calendar days and not less than 10 calendar days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 calendar days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holders of such Securities at their addresses as they appear in the Register, not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).

(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

(c) Subject to the provisions set forth herein relating to Record Dates, each Security delivered pursuant to any provision of this Indenture in exchange or substitution for, or upon registration of transfer of, any other Security shall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 3.09 Cancellation . Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or credit against any sinking fund or otherwise shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and shall be promptly canceled by it and, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all

 

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Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of all canceled Securities held by it in accordance with its then customary procedures and deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company upon its written request therefor. The acquisition of any Securities by the Company shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented thereby unless and until such Securities are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 3.10 Computation of Interest . Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 3.11 Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities .

(a) Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Securities of such series will be made in U.S. Dollars.

(b) For purposes of any provision of the Indenture where the Holders of Outstanding Securities may perform an action that requires that a specified percentage of the Outstanding Securities of all series perform such action and for purposes of any decision or determination by the Trustee of amounts due and unpaid for the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of all series in respect of which moneys are to be disbursed ratably, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Outstanding Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency will be the amount in U.S. Dollars based upon exchange rates, determined as specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, as of the date for determining whether the Holders entitled to perform such action have performed it or as of the date of such decision or determination by the Trustee, as the case may be.

(c) Any decision or determination to be made regarding exchange rates shall be made by an agent appointed by the Company; provided, that such agent shall accept such appointment in writing and the terms of such appointment shall, in the opinion of the Company at the time of such appointment, require such agent to make such determination by a method consistent with the method provided pursuant to Section 3.01 for the making of such decision or determination. All decisions and determinations of such agent regarding exchange rates shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustee and all Holders of the Securities.

Section 3.12 Judgments . The Company may provide pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series that (a) the obligation, if any, of the Company to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of any series in a Foreign Currency or U.S. Dollars (the “Designated Currency”) as may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01 is of the essence and agrees that, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, judgments in respect of such Securities shall be given in the Designated Currency; (b) the obligation of the Company to make payments in the Designated Currency of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities shall, notwithstanding any payment in any other Currency (whether pursuant to a judgment or otherwise), be discharged only to the extent of the amount in the

 

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Designated Currency that the Holder receiving such payment may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase with the sum paid in such other Currency (after any premium and cost of exchange) on the business day in the country of issue of the Designated Currency or in the international banking community (in the case of a composite currency) immediately following the day on which such Holder receives such payment; (c) if the amount in the Designated Currency that may be so purchased for any reason falls short of the amount originally due, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to compensate for such shortfall; and (d) any obligation of the Company not discharged by such payment shall be due as a separate and independent obligation and, until discharged as provided herein, shall continue in full force and effect.

Section 3.13 CUSIP Numbers . The Company in issuing any Securities may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if then generally in use, and thereafter with respect to such series, the Trustee may use such numbers in any notice of redemption or exchange with respect to such series provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers.

ARTICLE IV

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 4.01 Applicability of Right of Redemption . Redemption of Securities (other than pursuant to a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision) permitted by the terms of any series of Securities shall be made (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.

Section 4.02 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed .

(a) If the Company shall at any time elect to redeem all or any portion of the Securities of a series then Outstanding, it shall at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. In any case where more than one Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Security of such series. The Trustee shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Company in writing of the Securities and portions of Securities so selected.

 

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(b) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security that has been or is to be redeemed. If the Company shall so direct, Securities registered in the name of the Company, any Affiliate or any Subsidiary thereof shall not be included in the Securities selected for redemption.

Section 4.03 Notice of Redemption .

(a) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed in whole or in part pursuant to this Article, in the manner provided in Section 16.04. Any notice so given shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. Failure to give such notice, or any defect in such notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption, in whole or in part, shall not affect the sufficiency of any notice of redemption with respect to the Holder of any other Security of such series.

(b) All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if available) and shall state:

(i) such election by the Company to redeem Securities of such series pursuant to provisions contained in this Indenture or the terms of the Securities of such series or a supplemental indenture establishing such series, if such be the case;

(ii) the Redemption Date;

(iii) the Redemption Price;

(iv) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the Securities of such series to be redeemed;

(v) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed, and that, if applicable, interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;

(vi) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; and

(vii) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;

Section 4.04 Deposit of Redemption Price . On or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 6.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of such Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date.

 

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Section 4.05 Securities Payable on Redemption Date . Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, any Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price and from and after such date (unless the Company shall Default in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price; provided, however, that (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) installments of interest that have a Stated Maturity on or prior to the Redemption Date for such Securities shall be payable according to the terms of such Securities and the provisions of Section 3.08.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof and premium, if any, thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 4.06 Securities Redeemed in Part . Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency of the Company as is specified pursuant to Section 3.01 with, if the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Security or Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

ARTICLE V

SINKING FUNDS

Section 5.01 Applicability of Sinking Fund .

(a) Redemption of Securities permitted or required pursuant to a sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series by the terms of such series of Securities shall be made in accordance with such terms of such series of Securities and this Article, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article, the terms of such series shall govern.

 

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(b) The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “Optional Sinking Fund Payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 5.02.

Section 5.02 Mandatory Sinking Fund Obligation . The Company may, at its option, satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, in whole or in part, with respect to a particular series of Securities by (a) delivering to the Trustee Securities of such series in transferable form theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or redeemed at the election of the Company pursuant to Section 4.03 or (b) receiving credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) acquired by the Company and theretofore delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee shall credit such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation with an amount equal to the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment shall be reduced accordingly. If the Company shall elect to so satisfy any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation, it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date an Officer’s Certificate, which shall designate the Securities (and portions thereof, if any) so delivered or credited and which shall be accompanied by such Securities (to the extent not theretofore delivered) in transferable form. In case of the failure of the Company, at or before the time so required, to give such notice and deliver such Securities the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation shall be paid entirely in moneys.

Section 5.03 Optional Redemption at Sinking Fund Redemption Price . In addition to the sinking fund requirements of Section 5.02, to the extent, if any, provided for by the terms of a particular series of Securities, the Company may, at its option, make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such Securities. Unless otherwise provided by such terms, (a) to the extent that the right of the Company to make such Optional Sinking Fund Payment shall not be exercised in any year, it shall not be cumulative or carried forward to any subsequent year, and (b) such optional payment shall operate to reduce the amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment obligation as to Securities of the same series. If the Company intends to exercise its right to make such optional payment in any year it shall deliver to the Trustee not less than 45 days prior to the relevant sinking fund payment date an Officer’s Certificate stating that the Company will exercise such optional right, and specifying the amount which the Company will pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Such Officer’s Certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 5.04 Application of Sinking Fund Payment .

(a) If the sinking fund payment or payments made in funds pursuant to either Section 5.02 or 5.03 with respect to a particular series of Securities plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in funds with respect to such series shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request, or such equivalent sum for Securities denominated other than in U.S. Dollars), it shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date next following the date of such payment, unless the date of such payment shall be a sinking fund payment date, in which case such payment shall be applied on such sinking fund

 

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payment date, to the redemption of Securities of such series at the redemption price specified pursuant to Section 4.03(b). The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 4.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date, a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said funds, as nearly as may be, and shall, at the expense and in the name of the Company, thereupon cause notice of redemption of the Securities to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 4.03(a) for the redemption of Securities in part at the option of the Company, except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Securities are being redeemed for the sinking fund. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied by the Trustee to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next sinking fund payment received in funds by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.04. Any and all sinking fund moneys held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment of the principal of the Securities of such series at Maturity.

(b) On or prior to each sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee a sum equal to all interest accrued to but not including the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section 5.04.

(c) The Trustee shall not redeem any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on any Securities of such series or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge, except that if the notice of redemption of any Securities of such series shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Securities if funds sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Article. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund at the time any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of all the Securities of such series; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date on which such moneys are required to be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.04.

ARTICLE VI

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:

Section 6.01 Payments of Securities . The Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of and premium, if any, on each series of Securities, and the interest which shall have accrued thereon, at the dates and place and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture.

 

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Section 6.02 Paying Agent .

(a) The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, if any, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served (the “Paying Agent”). The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

(b) The Company may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and of any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. The Company or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.

Section 6.03 To Hold Payment in Trust .

(a) If the Company or an Affiliate thereof shall at any time act as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, then, on or before the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption shall become payable, the Company or such Affiliate will segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest which shall have so become payable until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act in that regard. Upon any proceeding under any federal bankruptcy laws with respect to the Company or any Affiliate thereof, if the Company or such Affiliate is then acting as Paying Agent, the Trustee shall replace the Company or such Affiliate as Paying Agent.

(b) If the Company shall appoint, and at the time have, a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any series of Securities, then prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date on which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series shall become payable as aforesaid, whether by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption, the Company will deposit with such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and premium, if any, or interest, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee), the Company or any other obligor of such Securities will promptly notify the Trustee of its payment or failure to make such payment.

 

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(c) If the Paying Agent shall be other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 6.03, that such Paying Agent shall:

(i) hold all moneys held by it for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(ii) give to the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series in the making of any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of that series; and

(iii) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

(d) Anything in this Section 6.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a release, satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee as required by this Section 6.03, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent.

(e) Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Order along with any interest that has accumulated thereon as a result of such money being invested at the direction of the Company, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust, and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such amounts without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent before being required to make any such repayment, shall upon written request by the Company at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

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Section 6.04 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities:

(a) The Company will not consolidate with any other entity or accept a merger of any other entity into the Company or permit the Company to be merged into any other entity, or sell other than for cash or lease all or substantially all its assets to another entity, or purchase all or substantially all the assets of another entity, unless (i) either the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if other than the Company) shall expressly assume, by indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered by such entity prior to or simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, sale or lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all other obligations to the Holders and the Trustee under this Indenture or under the Securities to be performed or observed by the Company; and (ii) immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or purchase the Company or the successor, transferee or lessee entity (if other than the Company) would not be in Default in the performance of any covenant or condition of this Indenture. A purchase by a Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of another entity shall not be deemed to be a purchase of such assets by the Company.

(b) Upon any consolidation with or merger into any other entity, or any sale other than for cash, or any conveyance or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with this Section 6.04, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which the Company is sold or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities, and from time to time such entity may exercise each and every right and power of the Company under this Indenture, in the name of the Company, or in its own name; and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture required or permitted to be done by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Company may be done with like force and effect by the like board or officer of any entity that shall at the time be the successor of the Company hereunder. In the event of any such sale or conveyance, but not any such lease, the Company (or any successor entity which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in this Section 6.04) shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may thereupon be dissolved and liquidated.

Section 6.05 Compliance Certificate . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee annually, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (which compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture) and, in the event of any Default, specifying each such Default and the nature and status thereof of which such person may have knowledge. Such certificates need not comply with Section 16.01 of this Indenture.

Section 6.06 Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities . Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with a covenant or condition set forth herein with respect to any series of Securities if the

 

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Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, prior to the time of such failure or omission, evidence (as provided in Article VIII) of the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, or impair any right consequent thereon and, until such waiver shall have become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6.07 Statement by Officers as to Default . The Company shall deliver to the Trustee as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 6.08 Calculation of Original Issue Discount . The Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) to the extent applicable, a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

ARTICLE VII

REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS

Section 7.01 Events of Default . Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “Event of Default” as used in this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series shall mean one of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the manner contemplated in Section 3.01:

(a) the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any Security of such series when and as the same shall become payable, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(b) the failure of the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Security of such series, when and as the same shall become payable, whether at Maturity as therein expressed, by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise;

(c) the failure of the Company to pay a sinking fund installment, if any, when and as the same shall become payable by the terms of a Security of such series, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(d) the failure of the Company, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, to perform any covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture (including any indenture

 

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supplemental hereto pursuant to which the Securities of such series were issued as contemplated by Section 3.01) (other than a covenant or agreement which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series and other than a covenant or agreement a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section 7.01 specifically addressed), which failure shall not have been remedied, or without provision deemed to be adequate for the remedying thereof having been made, for a period of 90 days after written notice shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or shall have been given to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

(e) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;

(f) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Company to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the Company to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any action; or

(g) the occurrence of any other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series as provided in Section 3.01;

provided, however, that no event described in clause (d) or (other than with respect to a payment default) (g) above shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee’s has actual knowledge thereof or until a written notice of any such event is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice refers to the facts underlying such event, the Securities generally, the Company and the Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, if the principal or any premium or interest on any Security is payable in a Currency other than the Currency of the United States and such Currency is not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in the Currency of the United States in an amount equal to the Currency of the United States equivalent of the amount payable in such other Currency, as determined by the Company’s agent in accordance with Section 3.11(c) hereof by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such Currency (“Exchange Rate”), as such

 

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Exchange Rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.01, any payment made under such circumstances in the Currency of the United States where the required payment is in a Currency other than the Currency of the United States will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

Section 7.02 Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment .

(a) Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, if any one or more of the above-described Events of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f)) shall happen with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, during the continuance of any such Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding may declare the principal (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest on all the Securities of such series then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f) occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, the principal amount of all of the Securities of that series then Outstanding shall automatically, and without any declaration or any other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become due and payable immediately. Upon payment of such amounts in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01), all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series shall terminate.

(b) The provisions of Section 7.02(a), however, are subject to the condition that, at any time after the principal of all the Securities of such series, to which any one or more of the above-described Events of Default is applicable, shall have been so declared to be due and payable, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Event of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if:

(i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent a sum in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay

(A) all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a) (provided, however, that all sums payable under this clause (A) shall be paid in U.S. Dollars);

(B) all arrears of interest, if any, upon all the Securities of such series (with interest, to the extent that interest thereon shall be legally enforceable, on any overdue installment of interest at the rate borne by such Securities at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities); and

 

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(C) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Securities of such series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon;

(ii) every other Default and Event of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 7.06.

(c) No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(d) For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

Section 7.03 Other Remedies . If the Company shall fail for a period of 30 days to pay any installment of interest on the Securities of any series or shall fail to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at Maturity, or by call for redemption (other than pursuant to the sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture, or otherwise, or shall fail for a period of 30 days to make any required sinking fund payment as to a series of Securities, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series then Outstanding the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the Securities of such series, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (so far as the same may be legally enforceable) on the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, and all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a).

In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, wherever situated, in the manner provided by law. Every recovery of judgment in any such action or other proceeding, subject to the payment to the Trustee of all amounts owing the Trustee and any

 

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predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of such series of Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All rights of action upon or under any of the Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.

Section 7.04 Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact . The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have appointed the Trustee, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Holder, with authority to make or file (whether or not the Company shall be in Default in respect of the payment of the principal of, or interest on, any of the Securities), in its own name and as trustee of an express trust or otherwise as it shall deem advisable, in any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or to their respective creditors or property, any and all claims, proofs of claim, proofs of debt, petitions, consents, other papers and documents and amendments of any thereof, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of the Holders of the Securities allowed in any such proceeding and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to execute and deliver any and all other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all other acts and things, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to enforce in any such proceeding any of the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of any of such Holders in respect of any of the Securities; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every taker or Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have authorized any such receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor, to make any such payment or delivery only to or on the order of the Trustee, and to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a); provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower the Trustee to consent to or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder of Securities, any plan of reorganization or readjustment affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize or empower the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of any Securities in any such proceeding.

Section 7.05 Priorities . Any moneys or properties collected by the Trustee with respect to a series of Securities under this Article VII shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or properties and, in the case of the distribution of such moneys or properties on account of the Securities of any series, upon presentation of the Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

First: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 11.01(a).

Second: In case the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series, in the chronological order of the Maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto.

 

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Third: In case the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest.

Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company or as directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 7.06 Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults . The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee hereunder, or of exercising any trust or power hereby conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 11.01 and 11.02, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in such direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to any declaration accelerating the Maturity of the Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except a Default in the payment of interest or any premium on or the principal of the Securities of such series. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 7.06, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

Section 7.07 Limitation on Suits . No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of one or more of the Events of Default herein specified with respect to such series of Securities, and unless also the Holders of

 

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25% in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of, and unless also there shall have been offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and such notification, request and offer of indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such action, suit or proceeding by any Holder of any Security of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of the Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his, her, its or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions by Holders are for the equal benefit of all Holders); provided, however, that nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Securities at the respective due dates in such Securities stated, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce the payment thereof.

Section 7.08 Undertaking for Costs . All parties to this Indenture and each Holder of any Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to have agreed that any court may in its discretion require, in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any action, suit or proceeding against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding of an undertaking to pay the costs of such action, suit or proceeding, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 7.08 shall not apply to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee, to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any one or more Holders of Securities holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any series Outstanding, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder of Securities of any series for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or the interest on, any of the Securities of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities.

Section 7.09 Remedies Cumulative . No remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities of any series is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of the Securities of any series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and every power and remedy given by this Article VII to the Trustee and to the Holders of Securities of any series, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as

 

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often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities of such series, as the case may be. In case the Trustee or any Holder of Securities of any series shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and the proceedings for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of waiver or for any other reason or shall have been adjudicated adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder of Securities, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

Section 8.01 Evidence of Action of Securityholders . Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities or of any series of Securities may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage or majority have joined therein may be evidenced by (a) any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Securityholders in person, by an agent or by a proxy appointed in writing, including through an electronic system for tabulating consents operated by the Depositary for such series or otherwise (such action becoming effective, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, when such instruments or evidence of electronic consents are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company), or (b) by the record of the Holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article IX, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Securityholders.

Section 8.02 Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities . Proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his, her or its agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:

(a) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument may be proved (i) by the certificate of any notary public or other officer in any jurisdiction who, by the laws thereof, has power to take acknowledgments or proof of deeds to be recorded within such jurisdiction, that the Person who signed such instrument did acknowledge before such notary public or other officer the execution thereof, or (ii) by the affidavit of a witness of such execution sworn to before any such notary or other officer. Where such execution is by a Person acting in other than his or her individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his or her authority.

(b) The ownership of Securities of any series shall be proved by the Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series.

 

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(c) The record of any Holders’ meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 9.06.

(d) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem appropriate or necessary, so long as the request is a reasonable one.

(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Securities of any series any action, the Company may, at its option fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Securities entitled to take such action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Company’s discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of such series have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of such series shall be computed as of such record date.

Section 8.03 Persons Deemed Owners .

(a) The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 3.08) interest, if any, on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All payments made to any Holder, or upon his, her or its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon such Security.

(b) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 8.04 Effect of Consents . After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective as to any series of Securities, a consent to it by a Holder of such series of Securities is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Securities or portion thereof, and of any Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

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ARTICLE IX

SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 9.01 Purposes of Meetings . A meeting of Securityholders of any or all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX for any of the following purposes:

(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article VIII;

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

(c) to consent to the execution of an Indenture or of indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 14.02; or

(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any one or more or all series, as the case may be, under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

Section 9.02 Call of Meetings by Trustee . The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of all Securityholders of all series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, to take any action specified in Section 9.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders of a series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register of the Company. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

Section 9.03 Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders . In case at any time the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series (or of all series, as the case may be) then Outstanding that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders of such series (or of all series), by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 9.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 9.02.

Section 9.04 Qualifications for Voting . To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders, a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Securities affected by the action proposed to be taken at the meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more such Securities. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

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Section 9.05 Regulation of Meetings .

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

(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 9.03, in which case the Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chair. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting.

(c) At any meeting of Securityholders of a series, each Securityholder of such series of such Securityholder’s proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Securities of such series Outstanding held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Securities of such series held by him or her or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him or her as the Person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. At any meeting of the Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02 or 9.03 the presence of Persons holding or representing Securities in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to take action upon the business for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall be necessary to constitute a quorum, and any such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

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

 

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

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

ARTICLE X

REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND

SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS

Section 10.01 Reports by Trustee .

(a) So long as any Securities are outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided therein. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each anniversary following the date of this Indenture deliver to Holders a brief report which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).

(b) The Trustee shall, at the time of the transmission to the Holders of Securities of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.01, file a copy of such report with each stock exchange upon which the Securities are listed, if any, and also with the SEC in respect of a Security listed and registered on a national securities exchange, if any. The Company agrees to promptly notify the Trustee in writing when, as and if the Securities become listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof.

The Company will reimburse the Trustee for all expenses incurred in the preparation and transmission of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.01 and of Section 10.02.

Section 10.02 Reports by the Company . The Company shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that, unless available on EDGAR (the Trustee having no obligation whatsoever to determine such availability), any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 30 days after the same is filed with the SEC; and provided further, that the filing of the reports specified in Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act by an entity that is the direct or indirect parent of the Company will satisfy the requirements of this Section 10.02 so long as such entity is or becomes an obligor or guarantor on the Securities; and provided further that the reports of such entity will not be required to include condensed consolidating financial information for the Company in a footnote to the financial statements of such entity.

 

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Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

Section 10.03 Securityholders’ Lists . The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semi-annually, within 15 days after each Record Date, but in any event not less frequently than semi-annually, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities to which such Record Date applies, as of such Record Date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

ARTICLE XI

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 11.01 Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity . The Trustee accepts the trusts created by this Indenture upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time of the Securities agree:

(a) The Trustee shall be entitled to such compensation as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (including in any agent capacity in which it acts). The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee (including the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its own negligence or willful misconduct.

The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee hereunder for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties (including in any agent capacity in which it acts), as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or

 

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liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except those attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel of its selection and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 11.01(a), the Trustee shall have a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust by the Trustee to pay principal of and interest on any Securities. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to compensate and indemnify the Trustee under this Section 11.01(a) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the termination of this Indenture and any satisfaction and discharge under Article XII. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 7.01 occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.

(b) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereof and perform any duty hereunder either directly or by its agents and attorneys and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(c) The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals herein or in the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon) contained, all of which are made solely by the Company; and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Securities, or the proceeds of any Securities, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

(d) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and, to the extent permitted by Section 11.02, any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such Opinion of Counsel.

(e) The Trustee, to the extent permitted by Section 11.02, may conclusively rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company as to the adoption of any Board Resolution or resolution of the stockholders of the Company, and any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by, and whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it

 

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desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may conclusively rely upon, an Officer’s Certificate of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).

(f) Subject to Section 11.04, the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have had if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

(g) Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

(h) Any action taken by the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof at the request or with the consent of any Person who at the time is the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding in respect of such Security upon all future Holders thereof or of any Security or Securities which may be issued for or in lieu thereof in whole or in part, whether or not such Security shall have noted thereon the fact that such request or consent had been made or given.

(i) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(j) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of the Securities, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless one or more of the Holders of the Securities shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it therein or thereby.

(k) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within its discretion or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(l) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Securities notify the Trustee thereof.

(m) Subject to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 11.02, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, may, but shall not be required to, make further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

 

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(n) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder.

(o) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

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

(q) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

Section 11.02 Duties of Trustee .

(a) If one or more of the Events of Default specified in Section 7.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened, then, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall, with respect to such Securities, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and shall use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as relieving the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that, anything in this Indenture contained to the contrary notwithstanding,

(i) unless and until an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01 with respect to the Securities of any series shall have happened which at the time is continuing,

(A) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to the Securities of that series as are specifically set out in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, whose duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture; and

(B) the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, upon certificates and opinions furnished to it pursuant to the express provisions of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which, by the provisions of this Indenture, are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements

 

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of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein);

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder of Securities or to any other Person with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of Securityholders given as provided in Section 7.06, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(c) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 11.02.

Section 11.03 Notice of Defaults . Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, and if known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Securities of a series notice of each Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series known to the Trustee, by transmitting such notice to Holders at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register of the Company, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice (the term “Default” being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 7.01, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section). Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become payable, or to make any sinking fund payment as to Securities of the same series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice, if and so long as a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series.

Section 11.04 Eligibility; Disqualification .

(a) The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition, and shall have a Corporate Trust Office. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.04, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

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(b) The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA Section 310(b)(i) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section 310(b)(i) are met. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. If Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act is amended any time after the date of this Indenture to change the circumstances under which a Trustee shall be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to the Securities of any series or to change any of the definitions in connection therewith, this Section 11.04 shall be automatically amended to incorporate such changes.

Section 11.05 Registration and Notice; Removal . The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to any one or more or all series of Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by the filing with such Trustee and the delivery to the Company of an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such removal and the date when it shall become effective.

If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 11.04 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series), or

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

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by written notice to the Trustee may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months (or, if it is a shorter period, the period since the initial issuance of the Securities of such series) may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

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Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of reasonable compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder. The Trustee’s rights to indemnification provided in Section 11.01(a) shall survive its resignation or removal.

Section 11.06 Successor Trustee by Appointment .

(a) In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed (unless the Trustee shall be removed as provided in Section 11.04(b), in which event the vacancy shall be filled as provided in said subdivision), or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or if a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or if any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation with respect to the Securities of one or more series, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series) may be appointed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that or those series then Outstanding, by an instrument or instruments in writing signed in duplicate by such Holders and filed, one original thereof with the Company and the other with the successor Trustee; but, until a successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of Securities of that or those series as herein authorized, the Company, or, in case all or substantially all the assets of the Company shall be in the possession of one or more custodians or receivers lawfully appointed, or of trustees in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings (including a trustee or trustees appointed under the provisions of the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted), or of assignees for the benefit of creditors, such receivers, custodians, trustees or assignees, as the case may be, by an instrument in writing, shall appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. Subject to the provisions of Sections 11.04 and 11.05, upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such appointment other than by the Holders of Securities of that or those series, the Person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be mailed to the Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register of the Company but any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series so appointed shall, immediately and without further act, be superseded by a successor Trustee appointed by the Holders of Securities of such series in the manner above prescribed, if such appointment be made prior to the expiration of one year from the date of the mailing of such notice by the Company, or by such receivers, trustees or assignees.

(b) If any Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall resign or be removed and a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed by the Company or by the Holders of the Securities of such series or, if any successor Trustee so appointed shall not have accepted its appointment within 30 days after such appointment shall have been made, the resigning Trustee at the expense of the Company may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. If in any other case a successor Trustee shall not be appointed pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.06 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Security of

 

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the applicable series or any retiring Trustee at the expense of the Company may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, in any such case, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.

(c) Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor Trustee and to the Company, or to the receivers, trustees, assignees or court appointing it, as the case may be, an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations with respect to such series of such predecessor Trustee with like effect as if originally named as Trustee hereunder, and such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to pay over, and such successor Trustee shall be entitled to receive, all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee as Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 11.01(a). Nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its said charges and disbursements, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trusts herein expressed all the rights, powers and trusts of such predecessor Trustee and shall assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee, subject nevertheless to its lien provided for in Section 11.01(a); and, upon request of any such successor Trustee and the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations.

Section 11.07 Successor Trustee by Merger . Any Person into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any Person with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any Person to which the Trustee or any successor to it shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture with respect to one or more series of Securities, any of such Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor to such Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

 

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Section 11.08 Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate . Subject to Section 11.02, and subject to the provisions of Section 16.01 with respect to the certificates required thereby, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 11.09 Appointment of Authenticating Agent . The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities, and the Trustee shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by the Authenticating Agent. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.

Each Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Article XI, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Article XI, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article XI.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Article XI, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions

 

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of this Section 11.09, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 11.09.

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 11.09.

Section 11.10 Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders . Holders of Securities may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to such communications.

ARTICLE XII

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

Section 12.01 Applicability of Article . If, pursuant to Section 3.01, provision is made for the defeasance of Securities of a series and if the Securities of such series are denominated and payable only in U.S. Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01), then the provisions of this Article shall be applicable except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series. Defeasance provisions, if any, for Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01.

Section 12.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture, with respect to the Securities of any series (if all series issued under this Indenture are not to be affected), shall, upon Company Order, cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities herein expressly provided for and rights to receive payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when,

(a) either:

(i) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.07 and (B) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 6.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

 

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(A) have become due and payable, or

(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company,

and in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Securities for principal and premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities that have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided, however, in the event a petition for relief under federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, is filed with respect to the Company within 91 days after the deposit and the Trustee is required to return the moneys then on deposit with the Trustee to the Company, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such Securities shall not be deemed terminated or discharged;

(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 11.01 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (a)(i) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 12.07 and the last paragraph of Section 6.03(e) shall survive.

Section 12.03 Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations . At the Company’s option, either (a) the Company shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with respect to Securities of any series on the first day after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied or (b) the Company shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 6.04 and Section 10.02 with respect to Securities of any series (and, if so specified pursuant to Section 3.01, any other restrictive covenant added for the benefit of such series pursuant to Section 3.01) at any time after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied (such action under clauses (a) or (b) of this paragraph in no circumstance may be construed as an Event of Default under Section 7.01):

(a) The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) that through the payment of interest and principal in

 

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respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient, as certified by a nationally recognized firm of certified public accountants or other appropriate professional, to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including any mandatory sinking fund payments) of and premium, if any, and interest on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and premium are due;

(b) No Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds and the grant of any related liens to be applied to such deposit); and

(c) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such action had not been exercised and, in the case of the Securities of such series being Discharged accompanied by a ruling to that effect received from or published by the Internal Revenue Service.

“Discharged” means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (a) above, payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 6.02, 12.06 and 12.07 and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the timely of payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, that, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the action of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

Section 12.04 Repayment to Company . The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company (or to its designee) upon Company Order any excess moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by them at any time, including any such moneys or obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to

 

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Section 12.06. The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 6.03 shall apply to any money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of Securities for which money or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Section 12.03.

Section 12.05 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations . The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 12.06 Deposits to Be Held in Escrow . Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 12.03 above shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Sections 12.04 and 12.07) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement. If any Outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund requirement, the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company. The agreement shall provide that, upon satisfaction of any mandatory sinking fund payment requirements, whether by deposit of moneys, application of proceeds of deposited U.S. Government Obligations or, if permitted, by delivery of Securities, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess moneys pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under the agreement and allocable to the sinking fund payment requirements so satisfied.

If Securities of a series with respect to which such deposits are made may be subject to later redemption at the option of the Company or pursuant to optional sinking fund payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide therefor. In the case of an optional redemption in whole or in part, such agreement shall require the Company to deposit with the Trustee on or before the date notice of redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Securities to be redeemed together with all unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date. Upon such deposit of funds, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of exercise of optional sinking fund payment rights by the Company, such agreement shall, at the option of the Company, provide that upon deposit by the Company with the Trustee of funds pursuant to such exercise the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 12.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement for such series and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed.

Section 12.07 Application of Trust Money .

(a) Neither the Trustee nor any other Paying Agent shall be required to pay interest on any moneys deposited pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, except such as it shall agree with the Company in writing to pay thereon. Any moneys so deposited for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after the date of the maturity of the Securities of such series or the date fixed for the redemption of all the Securities of such series at the time outstanding, as

 

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the case may be, shall be repaid by the Trustee or such other Paying Agent to the Company upon its written request and thereafter, anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, any rights of the Holders of Securities of such series in respect of which such moneys shall have been deposited shall be enforceable only against the Company, and all liability of the Trustee or such other Paying Agent with respect to such moneys shall thereafter cease.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the foregoing paragraph, any moneys which at any time shall be deposited by the Company or on its behalf with the Trustee or any other Paying Agent for the purpose of paying the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any of the Securities shall be and are hereby assigned, transferred and set over to the Trustee or such other Paying Agent in trust for the respective Holders of the Securities for the purpose for which such moneys shall have been deposited; but such moneys need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 12.08 Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, if the Securities of any series are payable in a Currency other than U.S. Dollars, the Currency or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article shall be as set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or established in the supplemental indenture under which the Securities of such series are issued.

ARTICLE XIII

IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS

Section 13.01 No Personal Liability . No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or the premium, if any, or interest on, any Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof or of the Indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and the Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, because of the incurring of the Indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants, promises or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities, or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that all liability, if any, of that character against every such incorporator, stockholder, officer and director is, by the acceptance of the Securities and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities expressly waived and released.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 14.01 Without Consent of Securityholders . Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any one or more of or all the following purposes:

(a) to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company, to be observed thereafter and during the period, if any, in such supplemental indenture or indentures expressed, and to add Events of Default, in each case for the protection or benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Securities (and if such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are to be for the benefit of fewer than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are expressly being included for the benefit of such series as shall be identified therein), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

(b) to delete or modify any Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities, the form and terms of which are being established pursuant to such supplemental indenture as permitted in Section 3.01 (and, if any such Event of Default is applicable to fewer than all such series of the Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable), and to specify the rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders of such Securities in connection therewith;

(c) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide, change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect;

(d) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and as to which such supplemental indenture would apply;

(e) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Company contained in the Securities of one or more series and in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;

(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 11.06(c);

(g) to secure any series of Securities;

 

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(h) to evidence any changes to this Indenture pursuant to Sections 11.05, 11.06 or 11.07 hereof as permitted by the terms thereof;

(i) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the terms hereof, as amended and supplemented, that are applicable to the Securities of any series to the description of the terms of such Securities in the offering memorandum, prospectus supplement or other offering document applicable to such Securities at the time of initial sale thereof;

(j) to add to or change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act;

(k) to add guarantors or co-obligors with respect to any series of Securities or to release guarantors from their guarantees of Securities in accordance with the terms of the applicable series of Securities;

(l) to make any change in any series of Securities that does not materially adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders of such Securities;

(m) to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities;

(n) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities;

(o) to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities; or

(p) to establish the form and terms of Securities of any series as permitted in Section 3.01, or to authorize the issuance of additional Securities of a series previously authorized or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed.

Subject to the provisions of Section 14.03, the Trustee is authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property or assets thereunder.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 14.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 14.02.

 

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Section 14.02 With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations .

(a) With the consent of the Holders (evidenced as provided in Article VIII) of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture voting separately, the Company and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of each such series affected thereby,

(i) extend the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon or any premium payable upon redemption thereof, or extend the Stated Maturity of, or change the place of payment where, or the Currency in which the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on such Security is denominated or payable, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.02, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or materially adversely affect the economic terms of any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01; or

(ii) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or

(iii) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 7.06 or Section 6.06, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 6.06, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 11.06 and 14.01(f); or

(iv) modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee.

(b) A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

 

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(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 14.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

(d) The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of the Holders of each series of Securities entitled to give a written consent or waive compliance by the Company as authorized or permitted by this Section. Such record date shall not be more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or waiver or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

(e) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 14.02, the Company shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Holders of Securities at their addresses as the same shall then appear in the Register of the Company. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

Section 14.03 Trustee Protected . Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 16.01 and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of consent of the Holders if the supplemental indenture is to be executed pursuant to Section 14.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into said supplemental indenture. The Trustee shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon such Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel.

Section 14.04 Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture . Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIV, this Indenture shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of all of the Securities or of the Securities of any series affected, as the case may be, shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

Section 14.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities . Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in the form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for the Securities then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of the Securities.

 

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Section 14.06 Conformity with TIA . Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

ARTICLE XV

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 15.01 Agreement to Subordinate . In the event a series of Securities is designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01, and except as otherwise provided in a Company Order or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, the Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities of such series by his, her or its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on each and all of the Securities of such series is hereby expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. In the event a series of Securities is not designated as subordinated pursuant to Section 3.01(s), this Article XV shall have no effect upon the Securities.

Section 15.02 Distribution on Dissolution, Liquidation and Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities . Subject to Section 15.01, upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Company or otherwise (subject to the power of a court of competent jurisdiction to make other equitable provision reflecting the rights conferred in this Indenture upon the Senior Indebtedness and the holders thereof with respect to the Securities and the holders thereof by a lawful plan of reorganization under applicable bankruptcy law):

(a) the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of the principal thereof (and premium, if any) and interest due thereon before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment upon the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities; and

(b) any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV shall be paid by the liquidation trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and

 

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(c) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over, upon written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, to the holder of such Senior Indebtedness or his, her or its representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instrument evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably as aforesaid, as calculated by the Company, for application to payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

(d) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness (to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to such holder have been applied to the payment of Senior Indebtedness) to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities shall be paid in full and no such payments or distributions to the Holders of the Securities of cash, property or securities otherwise distributable to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or in the Securities prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 15.05, shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereof and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.

Section 15.03 No Payment on Securities in Event of Default on Senior Indebtedness . Subject to Section 15.01, no payment by the Company on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking funds or interest, if any, on the Securities shall be made at anytime if: (i) a default on Senior Indebtedness exists that permits the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and (ii) the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or the Company has

 

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received notice of such default. The Company may resume payments on the Securities when full payment of amounts then due for principal (premium, if any), sinking funds and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 15.03, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, but only to the extent that the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 15.04 Payments on Securities Permitted . Subject to Section 15.01, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall (a) affect the obligation of the Company to make, or prevent the Company from making, at any time except as provided in Sections 15.02 and 15.03, payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities or (b) prevent the application by the Trustee of any moneys or assets deposited with it hereunder to the payment of or on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received at its Corporate Trust Office written notice of any fact prohibiting the making of such payment from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee more than two Business Days prior to the date fixed for such payment.

Section 15.05 Authorization of Securityholders to Trustee to Effect Subordination . Subject to Section 15.01, each Holder of Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his, her or its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 15.06 Notices to Trustee . The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies or assets to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV. Subject to Section 15.01, notwithstanding the provisions of this Article XV or any other provisions of this Indenture, neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any fact which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys or assets to or by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have received (in the case of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee) written notice thereof from the Company or from the holder of any Senior Indebtedness or from the trustee for any such holder, together with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of such holding of Senior Indebtedness or of the authority of such trustee and, prior to the receipt of any such

 

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written notice, the Trustee shall be entitled in all respects conclusively to presume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys or assets may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys or assets the notice provided for in this Section 15.06, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys or assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such a notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XV, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XV and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Section 15.07 Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness . Subject to Section 15.01, the Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Sections 7.05 or 11.01.

Section 15.08 Modifications of Terms of Senior Indebtedness . Subject to Section 15.01, any renewal or extension of the time of payment of any Senior Indebtedness or the exercise by the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any of their rights under any instrument creating or evidencing Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, may be made or done all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee. No compromise, alteration, amendment, modification, extension, renewal or other change of, or waiver, consent or other action in respect of, any liability or obligation under or in respect of, or of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any indenture or other instrument under which any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or of such Senior Indebtedness, whether or not such release is in accordance with the provisions of any applicable document, shall in any way alter or affect any of the provisions of this Article XV or of the Securities relating to the subordination thereof.

Section 15.09 Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent . Subject to Section 15.01, upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article XV, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or

 

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similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XV.

Section 15.10 Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance . Subject to Section 15.01, amounts and U.S. Government Obligations deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article XII and not, at the time of such deposit, prohibited to be deposited under Sections 15.02 or 15.03 shall not be subject to this Article XV.

Section 15.11 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness . With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be liable to any such holder if it shall pay over or distribute to or on behalf of Holders of Securities or the Company, or any other Person, moneys or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or otherwise.

ARTICLE XVI

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 16.01 Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent .

(a) Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificates provided pursuant to Section 6.05 of this Indenture) shall include (i) a statement that the Person giving such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the view or opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed view or opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the view or opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

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(c) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion is based are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

(d) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel to the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his or her certificate, statement or opinion may be based are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any firm of independent registered public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

(e) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

(f) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 16.02 Trust Indenture Act Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

Section 16.03 Notices to the Company and Trustee . Any notice or demand authorized by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the Company or the Trustee shall be sufficiently made, given, furnished or filed for all purposes if it shall be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to:

(a) the Company, at One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006, Attention: Edward S. Knight, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Facisimile No.: +1 301 978 8471 or at such other address or facsimile number as may have been furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

 

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(b) the Trustee, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Any such notice, demand or other document shall be in the English language.

Section 16.04 Notices to Securityholders; Waiver . Any notice required or permitted to be given to Securityholders shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided),

(a) if to Holders, if given in writing by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such Holders at their addresses as the same shall appear on the Register of the Company.

(b) In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

(c) Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance on such waiver. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail; neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given. In any case where notice to Holders is given by publication, any defect in any notice so published as to any particular Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders, and any notice that is published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given.

Section 16.05 Legal Holiday . Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity of any Security of any series shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Securities of that series, then payment of principal and premium, if any, or interest need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day.

Section 16.06 Effects of Headings and Table of Contents . The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 16.07 Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the parties hereto shall bind their respective successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of their permitted successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

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Section 16.08 Separability Clause . In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 16.09 Benefits of Indenture . Nothing in this Indenture expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person or corporation other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities any benefit or any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.

Section 16.10 Counterparts Originals . This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 16.11 Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury . This Indenture and the Securities shall be deemed to be contracts made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State.

EACH PARTY HERETO, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.

Section 16.12 Force Majeure . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of this obligations hereunder arising out of or cause by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 16.13 U.S.A. Patriot Act . The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

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

 

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.,
as Issuer
By:  

/s/ Adena T. Friedman

Name:   Adena T. Friedman
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,
as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Raymond Delli Colli

Name:   Raymond Delli Colli
Title:   Vice President

Exhibit 4.2

 

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.

First Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of January 15, 2010

4.00% Senior Notes due January 15, 2015

5.55% Senior Notes due January 15, 2020

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK,

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ,

as Trustee

 

 


FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of January 15, 2010 (herein called the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”), between The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “ Company ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee under the Original Indenture referred to below (hereinafter called the “ Trustee ”) and as paying agent (the “ Paying Agent ”) and transfer agent (the “ Transfer Agent ”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture dated as of January 15, 2010 (herein called the “ Original Indenture ” and together with the First Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), to provide for the issuance from time to time in one or more series of its debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “ Securities ”), the form and terms of which are to be established as set forth in Sections 2.01 and 3.01 of the Original Indenture;

WHEREAS, Section 14.01 of the Original Indenture provides, among other things, that the Company and the Trustee may enter into indentures supplemental to the Original Indenture to, among other things, establish the form and terms of the Securities of any series as permitted in Section 3.01 of the Original Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to create two series of the Securities to be designated as its (i) 4.00% Senior Notes due 2015 in an initial aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000 (the “ 2015 Notes ”) and (ii) 5.55% Senior Notes due 2020 in an initial aggregate principal amount of $600,000,000 (the “ 2020 Notes ” and together with the 2015 Notes, the “ Senior Notes ”) and all action on the part of the Company necessary to authorize the issuance of the Senior Notes under the Original Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture has been duly taken;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue the 2015 Notes and the 2020 Notes in accordance with Section 2.3 of this First Supplemental Indenture and treat the 2015 Notes and the 2020 Notes each as a single series of Securities for all purposes, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms of this First Supplemental Indenture and the Original Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Senior Notes, when executed by the Company and completed, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee as provided in the Original Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture, the valid and binding obligations of the Company and to constitute a valid and binding supplemental indenture and agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

That in consideration of the premises and of the acceptance and purchase of the Senior Notes by the Holders thereof and of the acceptance of this trust by the Trustee, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee, for the equal benefit of Holders of the Senior Notes, as follows:


ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS

Except to the extent such terms are otherwise defined in this First Supplemental Indenture or the context clearly requires otherwise, all terms used in this First Supplemental Indenture which are defined in the Original Indenture or the form of 2015 Note, with respect to the 2015 Notes, attached hereto as Exhibit A-1 , or the form of 2020 Note, with respect to the 2020 Notes, attached hereto as Exhibit A-2 , have the meanings assigned to them therein.

In addition, as used in this First Supplemental Indenture, the following terms have the following meanings:

2015 Notes ” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereof.

2020 Notes ” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereof.

Additional Amounts ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1(a).

Applicable Procedures ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.6(a).

Attributable Debt ” with regard to a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property means, at the time of determination, the present value of the total net amount of rent required to be paid under such lease during the remaining term thereof (including any period for which such lease has been extended), discounted at the rate of interest set forth or implicit in the terms of such lease (or, if not practicable to determine such rate, the weighted average interest rate per annum borne by the securities of all series then Outstanding under the Original Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture) compounded semi-annually. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall be the lesser of (x) the net amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the net amount shall also include the amount of the penalty, but shall not include any rent that would be required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) or (y) the net amount determined assuming no such termination.

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors (or any law involving equivalent concepts applicable outside the United States).

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means that United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Senior Notes of the applicable series to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate notes of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Senior Notes of the applicable series.

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the Quotation Agent obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

 

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Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, at any date, the aggregate amount of assets (less applicable reserves) of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom (a) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles and (b) all current liabilities (excluding any current liabilities for money borrowed having a maturity of less than 12 months but by their terms being renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the borrower), all as reflected in the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet as at the end of its fiscal quarter ending not more than 135 days prior to such date, prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2010, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), as Nordic lead arrangers and joint bookrunning managers, Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as U.S. lead arrangers and joint bookrunning managers, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), as co-documentation agents.

Definitive Securities ” means certificated Securities registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.2(b) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 hereto, except that each such Security shall not bear the Global Security Legend.

Depositary ” means DTC, together with any Person succeeding thereto by merger, consolidation or acquisition of all or substantially all of its assets, including substantially all of its securities payment and transfer operations.

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation, having a principal office at 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041-0099.

Foreign Successor Issuer ” means any entity that is organized in a jurisdiction other than the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and becomes a successor of the Company as a result of a merger of the Company with and into such entity after the date hereof.

Global Security Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 3.03(g) of the Original Indenture.

Indebtedness ” means any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium, interest or other amounts) for or in respect of any notes, bonds, debentures or other instruments for money borrowed or any borrowed money or any liability under or in respect of any banker’s acceptance (other than a daylight overdraft).

 

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Indirect Participant ” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Security through a Participant.

Issue Date ” means January 15, 2010, the date on which the Senior Notes are originally issued under this First Supplemental Indenture.

Lien ” means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, hypothecation, pledge, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind.

Make-Whole Redemption Price ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1.

Participant ” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.

Permitted Liens ” means:

(a) Liens imposed by law or any governmental authority for taxes, assessments, levies or charges that are not yet overdue by more than 60 days or are being contested in good faith (and, if necessary, by appropriate proceedings) or for commitments that have not been violated;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlords’ and similar Liens imposed by law, or which arise by operation of law and which are incurred in the ordinary course of business or where the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith (and, if necessary, by appropriate proceedings);

(c) Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made in compliance with workers’ compensation, pension liabilities, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations or other insurance-related obligations (including, without limitation, pledges or deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements);

(d) Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, tenders, leases, statutory obligations, surety, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds, customer deposits and other obligations of a similar 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 the Original Indenture or this First Supplemental Indenture;

(f) Liens arising in connection with the operations of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary relating to clearing or settlement activities; provided that at any time the aggregate amount of any such given Lien does not exceed the aggregate amount of deposits of cash or securities received from third parties by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in the ordinary course of operations relating to clearing or settlement activities;

 

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(g) Liens on (1) any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof, provided that such Lien may only extend to such property or asset, or (2) property of a Significant Subsidiary where (A) such Significant Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary after January 12, 2010, (B) the Lien exists at the time such Significant Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, (C) the Lien was not created in contemplation of such Significant Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary, and (D) the principal amount secured by the Lien at the time such Significant Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary is not subsequently increased or extended to any other assets other than those owned by the entity becoming a Subsidiary;

(h) any Lien existing on the Issue Date;

(i) Liens upon fixed, capital, real and/or tangible personal property acquired after January 12, 2010 (by purchase, construction. development, improvement, capital lease, Synthetic Lease or otherwise) by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, each of which Liens was created for the purpose of securing Indebtedness representing, or incurred to finance, refinance or refund, the cost (including the cost of construction, development or improvement) of such property; provided that no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property other than the property so acquired and improvements thereon;

(j) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary;

(k) Liens arising from the sale of accounts receivable for which fair equivalent value is received;

(l) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part, of any Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (g), (h) and (i); provided that the principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby and not otherwise authorized as a Permitted Lien shall not exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness, plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal or replacement, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement;

(m) Liens securing obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in respect of any swap agreements or other hedging arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business and for non-speculative purposes;

(n) easements, zoning restrictions, minor title defects, irregularities or imperfections, restrictions on use, rights of way, leases, subleases and similar charges and other similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations (other than customary maintenance requirements) and which could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and

 

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(o) Liens consisting of an agreement to sell, transfer or dispose of any asset or property (to the extent such sale, transfer or disposition is not prohibited by Section 6.04 of the Original Indenture).

Principal Property ” means the land, improvements, buildings and fixtures (including any leasehold interest therein) constituting a corporate office, facility or other capital asset which is owned or leased by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries unless the Company’s Board of Directors has determined in good faith that such office, facility or capital asset is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries taken as a whole. With respect to any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction or series of related Sale and Lease-Back Transactions, the determination of whether any property is a Principal Property shall be determined by reference to all properties affected by such transaction or series of transactions.

Quotation Agent ” means a Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the Company.

Record Date ” means January 1 and July 1, whether or not a Business Day, immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date.

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means (i) each of Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and a Primary Treasury Dealer (as defined herein) selected by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of their respective affiliates that is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “ Primary Treasury Dealer ”), and their respective successors, provided , however , that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (ii) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1(a).

Remaining Scheduled Payments ” means the remaining scheduled payments of principal of and interest on the Senior Notes called for redemption that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for that redemption; provided that if that Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to the Notes called for redemption, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment on such Notes will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Redemption Date.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction ” means any arrangement with any person providing for the leasing by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries of any Principal Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which Principal Property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Significant Subsidiary to such person.

 

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Senior Notes ” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereof.

Significant Subsidiary ” with respect to any Person, means any Subsidiary of such Person that satisfies the criteria for a “significant subsidiary” set forth in Rule l-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.

Subsidiary ” means any corporation, limited liability company or other similar type of business entity in which the Company and/or one or more of its subsidiaries together own more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the board of directors or similar governing body of such corporation, limited liability company or other similar type of business entity, directly or indirectly.

Synthetic Lease ” means any tax retention or other synthetic lease which is treated as an operating lease under United States generally accepted accounting principles, but the liabilities under which are or would be characterized as indebtedness for tax purposes.

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

Taxes ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1(a).

ARTICLE TWO

TERMS AND ISSUANCE OF THE SENIOR NOTES

Section 2.1. Issue of Senior Notes .

(a) 2015 Notes . A series of Securities which shall be designated the “4.00% Senior Notes due 2015” shall be executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of, and shall in all respects be subject to the terms, conditions and covenants of, the Original Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture (including the form of such Senior Notes set forth hereto as Exhibit A-1 ). The aggregate principal amount of 2015 Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this First Supplemental Indenture shall not, except as permitted by the provisions of the Original Indenture, initially exceed $400,000,000; provided that the Company may from time to time or at any time, without the consent of the Holders of the 2015 Notes, issue additional 2015 Notes, which additional 2015 Notes shall increase the aggregate principal amount of, and shall be consolidated and form a single series with, the 2015 Notes.

 

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(b) 2020 Notes . A series of Securities which shall be designated the “5.55% Senior Notes due 2020” shall be executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of, and shall in all respects be subject to the terms, conditions and covenants of, the Original Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture (including the form of such Senior Notes set forth hereto as Exhibit A-2 ). The aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this First Supplemental Indenture shall not, except as permitted by the provisions of the Original Indenture, initially exceed $600,000,000; provided that the Company may from time to time or at any time, without the consent of the Holders of the 2020 Notes, issue additional 2020 Notes, which additional 2020 Notes shall increase the aggregate principal amount of, and shall be consolidated and form a single series with, the 2020 Notes.

Section 2.2. Form of Senior Notes; Incorporation of Terms .

(a) Each of the 2015 Notes and the 2020 Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Securities and, together with the Authenticating Agent’s certificate of authentication thereon, shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 , respectively, attached hereto. The Senior Notes may have such notations, legends or endorsements approved as to form by the Company and required, as applicable, by law, stock exchange or depository rules and agreements to which the Company is subject and/or usage. The terms of the 2015 Notes set forth in Exhibit A-1 and the terms of the 2020 Notes set forth in Exhibit A-2 are herein incorporated by reference and are part of the terms of this First Supplemental Indenture. The Senior Notes shall be issuable in definitive, fully registered form without coupons only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(b) Each of the 2015 Notes and the 2020 Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 , respectively, attached hereto (including the Global Security Legend thereon). Senior Notes issued in definitive certificated form in accordance with the terms of the Original Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, if any, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 attached hereto with respect to the 2015 Notes and Exhibit A-2 with respect to the 2020 Notes (but, in each case, without the Global Security Legend thereon). Each Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Senior Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Senior Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Senior Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Transfer Agent in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.7 hereof.

Section 2.3. Execution and Authentication . The Trustee, upon a Company Order and pursuant to the terms of the Original Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture, shall authenticate and deliver (i) 2015 Notes for original issue in an initial aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000 and (ii) 2020 Notes for original issue in an initial aggregate principal amount of $600,000,000. Such Company Order shall specify the amount of the Senior Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Senior Notes is to be authenticated and the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes outstanding on the date of authentication. All of the 2015

 

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Notes and all of the 2020 Notes issued under this First Supplemental Indenture shall, in each case, be treated as a single series for all purposes under the Original Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments and offers to purchase.

Section 2.4. Depositary for Global Securities . The Depositary for the Senior Notes issued under this First Supplemental Indenture shall be DTC in the City of New York.

Section 2.5. Place of Payment . The Place of Payment in respect of the Senior Notes will be at the principal office or agency of the Company in The City of New York, State of New York or at the office or agency of the Paying Agent in The City of New York, State of New York, which, at the date hereof, is located at 45 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, New York, 10006.

Section 2.6. Transfer and Exchange .

(a) The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Securities shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of the Original Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture and the then applicable procedures of the Depositary (the “ Applicable Procedures ”). In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Transfer Agent either (A)(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Security in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or, if Definitive Securities are at such time permitted to be issued pursuant to this First Supplemental Indenture and the Original Indenture, (B)(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Security in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Security shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Securities contained in the Original Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture and the Senior Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Securities pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof.

(b) Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Securities and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.6(b), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Securities. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Transfer Agent the Definitive Securities duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. The Authenticating Agent shall cancel any such Definitive Securities so surrendered, and the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of a Company Order pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Original Indenture, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a new Definitive Security in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Security issued pursuant to

 

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this Section 2.6(b) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Paying Agent shall deliver such Definitive Securities to the Persons in whose names such Definitive Securities are so registered. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to Section 3.06 of the Original Indenture.

Section 2.7. Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Securities . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Security have been exchanged for Definitive Securities or a particular Global Security has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Security shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Registrar in accordance with Section 3.09 of the Original Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security or for Definitive Securities, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global Security shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Security by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security, such other Global Security shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Security by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such increase.

Section 2.8. Events of Default .

(a) The provisions of Section 7.01 of the Original Indenture as they relate to the Senior Notes, shall be replaced in their entirety with the following:

“Section 7.01 Events of Default . Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “ Event of Default ” as used in this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series shall mean one of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the manner contemplated in Section 3.01:

(a) the Company does not pay interest on any of the Senior Notes of that series within 30 days of their due date;

(b) the Company fails to pay the principal (or premium, if any) of any Senior Notes when such principal becomes due and payable, at maturity, upon acceleration, upon redemption or otherwise;

(c) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Section 6.04;

(d) the Company remains in breach of a covenant or warranty in respect of this Indenture or any Senior Notes of that series (other than a covenant included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of debt securities of another series)

 

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for 60 days after the Company receives a written notice of default, which notice must be sent by either the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of that series;

(e) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

(f) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Company to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the Company to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or of substantially all the property of the Company or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any action;

(g) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary defaults on any of its indebtedness having an aggregate amount of at least $100,000,000, constituting a default either of payment of principal when due and payable or which results in acceleration of the indebtedness; or

(h) one or more final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000,000 above available insurance or indemnity coverage shall be rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed.”

(b) The provisions of Section 7.02(a) of the Original Indenture as they relate to the Senior Notes, shall be replaced in their entirety with the following:

“(a) Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, if any one or more of the above-described Events of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f)) shall happen with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, during the continuance of any such Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding may declare the principal (or premium if any) (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued but unpaid

 

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interest on all the Securities of such series then Outstanding to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(e) or 7.01(f) occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, the principal amount of all of the Securities of that series then Outstanding shall automatically, and without any declaration or any other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become due and payable immediately. Upon payment of such amounts in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (subject to Section 7.01 and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01), all obligations of the Company in respect of the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series shall terminate.”

ARTICLE THREE

COVENANTS

Section 3.1. Payments of Additional Amounts by a Foreign Successor Issuer.

(a) All payments made under or with respect to the Senior Notes by any Foreign Successor Issuer will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge (including, without limitation, penalties, interest and other similar liabilities related thereto) of whatever nature (collectively, “ Taxes ”) imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which such Foreign Successor Issuer is organized, resident or doing business for tax purposes or from or through which such Foreign Successor Issuer makes any payment on the Senior Notes or any department or political subdivision thereof (each, a “ Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction ”), unless such Foreign Successor Issuer is required to withhold or deduct Taxes by law. For the avoidance of doubt a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction shall not include the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia. If a Foreign Successor Issuer is required by law to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of Taxes of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction from any payment made under or with respect to the Senior Notes, the Foreign Successor Issuer, subject to the exceptions listed below, will pay additional amounts (“ Additional Amounts ”) as may be necessary to ensure that the net amount received by each Holder of the Senior Notes after such withholding or deduction (including withholding or deduction attributable to Additional Amounts payable hereunder) will not be less than the amount the Holder would have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted.

(b) A Foreign Successor Issuer will not, however, pay Additional Amounts to a Holder or beneficial owner of Senior Notes:

(i) to the extent the Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts would not have been imposed but for the Holder’s or beneficial owner’s present or former connection with the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (other than any connection resulting from the acquisition, ownership, holding or disposition of Senior Notes, the receipt of payments thereunder and/or the exercise or enforcement of rights under any Senior Notes);

(ii) to the extent the Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts would not have been imposed but for the failure of the Holder or beneficial owner of Senior Notes,

 

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following the Foreign Successor Issuer’s written request addressed to the Holder, to the extent such Holder or beneficial owner is legally eligible to do so, to comply with any certification, identification, information or other reporting requirements, whether required by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, as a precondition to exemption from, or reduction in the rate of deduction or withholding of, Taxes imposed by the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (including, without limitation, a certification that the Holder or beneficial owner is not resident in the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction);

(iii) with respect to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, personal property or any similar Taxes;

(iv) if such Holder is a fiduciary or partnership or person other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment and the Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts would not have been imposed on such payment had the Holder been the beneficiary, partner or sole beneficial owner, as the case may be, of such Senior Note (but only if there is no material cost or expense associated with transferring such Senior Note to such beneficiary, partner or sole beneficial owner and no restriction on such transfer that is outside the control of such beneficiary, partner or sole beneficial owner);

(v) to the extent the Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts would not have been imposed but for the presentation by the Holder of any Senior Note, where presentation is required, for payment on a date more than 30 days after the date on which payment became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;

(vi) with respect to any withholding or deduction that is imposed on a payment to an individual and that is required to be made pursuant to the European Council Directive on the taxation of savings income which was adopted by the ECOFIN Council on June 3, 2003 or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to such directive (the “EU Savings Tax Directive”) or is required to be made pursuant to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation dated October 26, 2004 providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in the EU Savings Tax Directive (the “EU-Swiss Savings Tax Agreement”) or any law or other governmental regulation implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such agreement; or

(vii) any combination of items (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi).

(c) A Foreign Successor Issuer will (i) make any such withholding or deduction required by applicable law and (ii) remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law. The Foreign Successor Issuer will make reasonable efforts to obtain certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any Taxes so deducted or withheld from each Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction imposing such Taxes. The Foreign Successor Issuer will provide to the Trustee, within a reasonable time after the date the payment of any Taxes so deducted or withheld are due pursuant to applicable law, either a certified copy of tax receipts evidencing such payment, or, if such tax receipts are not reasonably available to the Foreign Successor Issuer, such other documentation that provides reasonable evidence of such payment by the Foreign Successor Issuer.

 

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(d) At least 30 calendar days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Senior Notes is due and payable, if the Foreign Successor Issuer will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment (unless such obligation to pay Additional Amounts arises after the 35th day prior to the date on which payment under or with respect to the Senior Notes is due and payable, in which case it will be promptly thereafter), the Foreign Successor Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Additional Amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable and will set forth such other information necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional Amounts to Holders on the payment date. The Foreign Successor Issuer will promptly publish a notice in accordance with the Section 16.04 of the Original Indenture stating that such Additional Amounts will be payable and describing the obligation to pay such amounts.

(e) In addition, a Foreign Successor Issuer will pay any stamp, issue, registration, court, documentation, excise or other similar taxes, charges and duties, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed by any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction at any time after the merger described above in respect of the execution, issuance, registration or delivery of the Senior Notes or any other document or instrument referred to thereunder and any such taxes, charges or duties imposed by any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction at any time after the merger described above as a result of, or in connection with, any payments made pursuant to the Senior Notes and/or the enforcement of the Senior Notes and/or any other such document or instrument.

(f) The obligations described under this heading will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of the Indenture and will apply mutatis mutandis to any Successor Company to any Foreign Successor Issuer (other than a Person organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia) and to any jurisdiction in which such Successor Company is organized or is otherwise resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by such successor or its respective agents.

(g) Whenever this Indenture or the Senior Notes refer to, in any context, the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Senior Note, such reference shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts or indemnification payments as described hereunder, to the extent that in such context Additional Amounts or indemnification payments are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to this Section 3.1.

(h) A Foreign Successor Issuer will indemnify and hold harmless the Holders of Senior Notes, and, upon written request of any Holder of Senior Notes, reimburse such Holder for the amount of (i) any Taxes levied or imposed by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction and payable by such Holder in connection with payments made under or with respect to the Senior Notes held by such Holder; and (ii) any Taxes levied or imposed with respect to any reimbursement under the foregoing clause (i) or this clause (ii), so that the net amount received by such Holder after such reimbursement will not be less than the net amount such Holder would have received if the Taxes giving rise to the reimbursement described in clauses (i) and/or (ii) had not been imposed, provided , however , that the indemnification obligation provided for in this paragraph shall not

 

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extend to Taxes imposed for which the Holder of the Senior Notes would not have been eligible to receive payment of Additional Amounts hereunder by virtue of clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 3.1(b) above or to the extent such Holder received Additional Amounts with respect to such payments.

Section 3.2. Limitations on Liens .

(a) The Company shall not (nor shall it permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries to) create or permit to exist any Lien on any Principal Property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or on any stock or Indebtedness of any of its Significant Subsidiaries), whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, to secure any Indebtedness, unless the Company contemporaneously secures the Senior Notes (together with, if the Company so determines, any other Indebtedness of or guaranty by the Company or such Significant Subsidiary then existing or thereafter created that is not subordinated to the Senior Notes) equally and ratably with (or, at the option of the Company, prior to) that obligation.

(b) The foregoing restriction, however, shall not apply to (i) Permitted Liens and (ii) Liens securing Indebtedness if at the time of determination, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence, creation, assumption or guaranty of such Indebtedness or the securing of outstanding Indebtedness and to the retirement of Indebtedness which is concurrently being retired, the sum of (without duplication) (1) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by Liens (other than Permitted Liens) and (2) all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions not otherwise permitted under the first sentence of Section 3.3 hereof does not exceed fifteen percent of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Section 3.3. Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions . The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal Property, other than (x) any such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction involving a lease for a term of not more than three years or (y) any such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction between the Company and one of its Subsidiaries or between its Subsidiaries, unless:

(a) the Company or such Significant Subsidiary, as applicable, could have incurred Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the Principal Property involved in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction in an amount at least equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, without equally and ratably securing the Senior Notes, pursuant to Section 3.2; or

(b) the proceeds of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction are at least equal to the fair market value of the affected Principal Property (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) and the Company applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction within 365 days of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction to any (or a combination) of:

(i) the prepayment or retirement of the Senior Notes,

 

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(ii) the prepayment or retirement (other than any mandatory retirement, mandatory prepayment or sinking fund payment or by payment at maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company or of one of its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Senior Notes or Indebtedness owed to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries) that matures more than 12 months after its creation; or

(iii) the purchase, construction, development, expansion or improvement of other comparable property.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries shall be allowed to enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction if, after giving pro forma effect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, the sum of (without duplication) (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by Liens (other than Permitted Liens) and (ii) all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions not otherwise permitted under the first sentence of this Section 3.3, does not exceed fifteen percent of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Section 3.4. Limitations on Mergers and Other Transactions . With respect to the Senior Notes, the provisions of Section 6.04 of the Original Indenture shall be replaced in its entirety with the following:

“Section 6.04 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms .

(a) The Company shall not consolidate or merge with another entity or to sell, transfer or otherwise convey all or substantially all of its assets to another entity, unless in each case:

(1) the resulting entity (if other than us) must (x) be a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company (or the equivalent thereof) organized under the laws of any U.S. jurisdiction or any European Union Member State and (y) deliver a supplemental indenture by which such surviving entity expressly assumes our obligations under the indenture; and

(2) immediately following the consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, no Event of Default (as defined below) (and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default) shall have occurred and be continuing.

(b) Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other entity or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 6.04(a), the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such merger, sale or conveyance, is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.”

 

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ARTICLE FOUR

Section 4.1. Optional Redemption by Company .

(a) The Company shall have the right to redeem each series of Senior Notes, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price (the “ Make-Whole Redemption Price ”) equal to the greater of:

(i) 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; or

(ii) as determined by the Quotation Agent, the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments of principal and interest in respect of the Senior Notes to be redeemed discounted to the Redemption Date (excluding interest accrued to the Redemption Date) on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), at a rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 30 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest theron to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

On and after a Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Senior Notes called for redemption (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Make-Whole Redemption Price and accrued interest). On or before a Redemption Date, the Company will deposit with a Paying Agent (or the Trustee) money sufficient to pay the Make-Whole Redemption Price of and accrued interest on the Senior Notes to be redeemed on that date. If less than all of the Senior Notes are to be redeemed, the Senior Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee pro rata or by lot or by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate; provided that if at the time of redemption the Senior Notes to be redeemed are registered as one or more Global Securities, the Depositary shall determine, in accordance with its procedures, the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed held by each Holder of such Senior Notes.

(b) Notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be given as provided in Section 4.03 of the Original Indenture. The Trustee shall not be responsible for the calculation of such Make-Whole Redemption Price. The Company shall calculate such Make-Whole Redemption Price and promptly notify the Trustee thereof.

Section 4.2. Tax Redemption .

If, as a result of:

(i) any amendment to, or change in, the laws (or regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction which is announced and becomes effective after the date on which a Foreign Successor Issuer becomes a Foreign Successor Issuer (or, where a jurisdiction in question does not become a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction until a later date, such later date); or

 

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(ii) any amendment to, or change in, the official application or official interpretation of the laws, regulations or rulings of any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction which is announced and becomes effective after the date on which a Foreign Successor Issuer becomes a Foreign Successor Issuer (or, where a jurisdiction in question does not become a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction until a later date, such later date),

such Foreign Successor Issuer would be obligated to pay, on the next date for any payment and as a result of that amendment or change, Additional Amounts or indemnification payments pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, which such Foreign Successor Issuer reasonably determines it cannot avoid by the use of reasonable measures available to it, then such Foreign Successor Issuer may redeem all, but not less than all, of the Senior Notes, at any time thereafter, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Prior to the giving of any notice of redemption described in this paragraph, a Foreign Successor Issuer will deliver to the trustee:

(i) a certificate signed by an officer of such Foreign Successor Issuer stating that the obligation to pay the Additional Amounts or indemnification payments cannot be avoided by such Foreign Successor Issuer’s taking reasonable measures available to it; and

(ii) a written opinion of independent legal counsel to such Foreign Successor Issuer of recognized standing to the effect that such Foreign Successor Issuer has or will become obligated to pay such Additional Amounts or indemnification payments as a result of a change, amendment, official interpretation or application described above.

Section 4.3. A Foreign Successor Issuer will publish a notice of any optional redemption of the Senior Notes described above in accordance with Section 4.03 of the Original Indenture. No such notice of redemption may be given more than 60 days before or 365 days after the Foreign Successor Issuer first becomes liable to pay any Additional Amount or indemnification payments.

ARTICLE FIVE

RANKING

Section 5.1. Senior in Right of Payment . The Senior Notes shall be direct senior obligations of the Company and shall rank (a) senior in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness that is, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes and (b)  pari passu in right of payment with all other unsecured senior indebtedness of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE SIX

AMENDMENTS

Section 6.1. Amendments . The Original Indenture is hereby amended, with respect to the Senior Notes, by replacing the text of Sections 14.02(i)-(iii) thereof with the following text:

“(i) reduce the percentage in principal amount of affected Senior Notes of any series the consent of whose Holders is required for an amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of compliance with some provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of some defaults under the Indenture;

(ii) reduce the rate of interest on any Senior Note or change the time for payment of interest;

(iii) reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, due on, the Senior Notes or change the Stated Maturity thereof;

(iv) change the Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Senior Note or any premium or interest thereon is payable;

(v) change the provisions relating to waiver of defaults under the Indenture;

(vi) modify the provisions of the Indenture relating to the ranking of the Senior Notes in a manner adverse to Holders;

(vii) impair the right of Holders to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date); or

(viii) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Sections 6.06 or Section 7.06, or, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.”

ARTICLE SEVEN

DEFEASANCE

Section 7.1. Covenant Defeasance . With respect to the Senior Notes, the Company shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 3.2 and 3.3 of this First Supplemental Indenture if the Company satisfies the conditions applicable to covenant defeasance applicable to subsection (b) of the first paragraph Section 12.03 of the Original Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1. Execution as Supplemental Indenture . This First Supplemental Indenture is executed and shall be construed as an indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture and, as provided in the Original Indenture, this First Supplemental Indenture forms a part thereof.

Section 8.2. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act . If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof, or with a provision of the Original Indenture, which is required to be included in this First Supplemental Indenture, or in the Original Indenture, respectively, by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control to the extent it is applicable.

Section 8.3. Effect of Headings . The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 8.4. Successors and Assigns . All covenants and agreements by the Company and the Trustee in this First Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 8.5. Separability Clause . In case any provision in this First Supplemental Indenture or in the Senior Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 8.6. Benefits of First Supplemental Indenture . Nothing in this First Supplemental Indenture or in the Senior Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this First Supplemental Indenture.

Section 8.7. Execution and Counterparts . This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 8.8. Governing Law . This First Supplemental Indenture and the Senior Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

-20-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.
By:       /s/ Adena T. Friedman
  Name:   Adena T. Friedman
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Corporate
    Strategy and Chief Financial Officer

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:       /s/ Raymond Delli Colli
  Name:   Raymond Delli Colli
  Title:   Vice President

 

-21-


EXHIBIT A-1

[FORM OF 4.00% NOTES DUE 2015]

[Insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.]

[THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS NOTE FOR ALL PURPOSES.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.]

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

4.00% Notes due 2015

 

No.                 $400,000,000

CUSIP No. 631103 AC2

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “ Company ,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of              Dollars on January 15, 2015, and to pay interest thereon from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 in each year, commencing July 15, 2010 and at the Maturity thereof, at the rate of 4.00% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 4.00% per annum

 

A-1-1


(to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest, which shall be January 1 or July 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency maintained for that purpose in New York, New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts, against surrender of this Security in the case of any payment due at the Maturity of the principal hereof (other than any payment of interest that first becomes payable on a day other than an Interest Payment Date); provided , however , that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register; and provided, further, that if this Security is a Global Security, payment may be made pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary as permitted in the Indenture.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent on its behalf referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-1-2


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

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

  Name
  Title

 

A-1-3


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

A-1-4


[FORM OF REVERSE OF 4.00% NOTES DUE 2015]

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “ Securities ”), of the series hereinafter specified, issued and to be issued in one or more series under a Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2010 (the “Original Indenture”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2010 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ” and as so supplemented, the “ Indenture ”), between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the “ Trustee ,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which this Security are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $400,000,000, provided that the Company may, without the consent of any Holder, at any time and from time to time increase the initial principal amount.

The Securities of this series are subject to redemption as provided in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of the First Supplemental Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security and certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the unpaid principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions (i) permitting the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture with respect to such series and (ii) permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of any series to be affected under the Indenture (with each such series considered separately for this purpose), on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall

 

A-1-5


have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the Registrar, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

This Security is a Global Security and is subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to Global Securities, including the limitations in Section 3.06 of the Original Indenture and Section 2.6 of the First Supplemental Indenture on transfers and exchanges of Global Securities.

Interest on the principal balance of the Securities of this series shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

THE SECURITIES OF THIS SERIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

A-1-6


All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Security shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

A-1-7


EXHIBIT A-2

[FORM OF 5.55% NOTES DUE 2020]

[Insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.]

[THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS NOTE FOR ALL PURPOSES.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.]

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

5.55% Notes due 2020

 

No.                 $600,000,000

CUSIP No. 631103 AD0

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “ Company ,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of              Dollars on January 15, 2020, and to pay interest thereon from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 in each year, commencing July 15, 2010 and at the Maturity thereof, at the rate of 5.55% per annum, until the principal

 

A-2-1


hereof is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 5.55% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security is registered at the close of business on the Record Date for such interest, which shall be January 1 or July 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency maintained for that purpose in New York, New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts, against surrender of this Security in the case of any payment due at the Maturity of the principal hereof (other than any payment of interest that first becomes payable on a day other than an Interest Payment Date); provided , however , that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register; and provided, further, that if this Security is a Global Security, payment may be made pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary as permitted in the Indenture.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent on its behalf referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-2-2


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

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

  Name
  Title

 

A-2-3


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

A-2-4


[FORM OF REVERSE OF 5.55% NOTES DUE 2020]

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “ Securities ”), of the series hereinafter specified, issued and to be issued in one or more series under a Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2010 (the “Original Indenture”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2010 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ” and as so supplemented, the “ Indenture ”), between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the “ Trustee ,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which this Security are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $600,000,000, provided that the Company may, without the consent of any Holder, at any time and from time to time increase the initial principal amount.

The Securities of this series are subject to redemption as provided in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of the First Supplemental Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security and certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the unpaid principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions (i) permitting the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture with respect to such series and (ii) permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of any series to be affected under the Indenture (with each such series considered separately for this purpose), on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall

 

A-2-5


have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the Registrar, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

This Security is a Global Security and is subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to Global Securities, including the limitations in Section 3.06 of the Original Indenture and Section 2.6 of the First Supplemental Indenture on transfers and exchanges of Global Securities.

Interest on the principal balance of the Securities of this series shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

THE SECURITIES OF THIS SERIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

A-2-6


All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Security shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

A-2-7

Exhibit 4.3

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of January 15, 2010

among

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.,

as Borrower,

The Lenders Party Hereto

and

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank

 

 

NORDEA BANK AB (publ.)

and

SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (publ.),

as Nordic Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunning Managers,

and

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC

And

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.

as U.S. Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunning Managers

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

NORDEA BANK AB (publ.)

and

SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (publ.),

as Documentation Agents

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

80 Pine Street

New York, New York 10005

 

 


  TABLE OF CONTENTS   
         Page
  ARTICLE I   
  DEFINITIONS   

SECTION 1.01

  Defined Terms    1

SECTION 1.02

  Classification of Loans and Borrowings    32

SECTION 1.03

  Terms Generally    32

SECTION 1.04

  Accounting Terms; GAAP    32

SECTION 1.05

  Pro Forma Calculations    32

SECTION 1.06

  Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents    33

SECTION 1.07

  Additional Alternative Currencies    34

SECTION 1.08

  Change of Currency    34
  ARTICLE II   
  THE CREDITS   

SECTION 2.01

  Commitments    35

SECTION 2.02

  Funding of Loans    36

SECTION 2.03

  Requests for Borrowings    36

SECTION 2.04

  Swingline Loans    38

SECTION 2.05

  Letters of Credit    41

SECTION 2.06

  Termination and Reduction of Commitments    49

SECTION 2.07

  Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt    50

SECTION 2.08

  Amortization of Term Loans    51

SECTION 2.09

  Prepayment of Loans    52

SECTION 2.10

  Fees    53

SECTION 2.11

  Interest    55

SECTION 2.12

  Alternate Rate of Interest    56

SECTION 2.13

  Increased Costs    57

SECTION 2.14

  Break Funding Payments    59

SECTION 2.15

  Taxes    60

SECTION 2.16

  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs    62

SECTION 2.17

  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders    64

SECTION 2.18

  Incremental Revolving Commitments    65

SECTION 2.19

  Determination of Eurocurrency Rate    66
  ARTICLE III   
  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   

SECTION 3.01

  Organization; Powers    66

 

-i-


         Page

SECTION 3.02

  Authorization; Enforceability    66

SECTION 3.03

  Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts    67

SECTION 3.04

  Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change    67

SECTION 3.05

  Properties    68

SECTION 3.06

  Litigation and Environmental Matters    68

SECTION 3.07

  Compliance with Laws and Agreements    69

SECTION 3.08

  Investment Company Status    69

SECTION 3.09

  Taxes    69

SECTION 3.10

  ERISA    69

SECTION 3.11

  Disclosure    69

SECTION 3.12

  Subsidiaries    70

SECTION 3.13

  Insurance    70

SECTION 3.14

  Labor Matters    70

SECTION 3.15

  Solvency    70

SECTION 3.16

  Federal Reserve Regulations    71
  ARTICLE IV   
  CONDITIONS   

SECTION 4.01

  Conditions to the Closing Date    71

SECTION 4.02

  Each Credit Event    72
  ARTICLE V   
  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS   

SECTION 5.01

  Financial Statements and Other Information    73

SECTION 5.02

  Notices of Material Events    75

SECTION 5.03

  Existence; Conduct of Business    75

SECTION 5.04

  Payment of Obligations    76

SECTION 5.05

  Maintenance of Properties    76

SECTION 5.06

  Insurance    76

SECTION 5.07

  Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights    76

SECTION 5.08

  Compliance with Laws    76

SECTION 5.09

  Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit    77
  ARTICLE VI   
  NEGATIVE COVENANTS   

SECTION 6.01

  Indebtedness of Subsidiaries    77

SECTION 6.02

  Liens    79

SECTION 6.03

  Fundamental Changes and Lines of Business    81

SECTION 6.04

  Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions    81

 

-ii-


          Page

SECTION 6.05

   Asset Sales    83

SECTION 6.06

   Restricted Payments    84

SECTION 6.07

   Transactions with Affiliates    85

SECTION 6.08

   Interest Expense Coverage Ratio    85

SECTION 6.09

   Leverage Ratio    85
   ARTICLE VII   
   EVENTS OF DEFAULT   
   ARTICLE VIII   
   REGARDING THE Administrative AGENT   
   ARTICLE IX   
   MISCELLANEOUS   

SECTION 9.01

   Notices    92

SECTION 9.02

   Waivers; Amendments    93

SECTION 9.03

   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver    95

SECTION 9.04

   Successors and Assigns    97

SECTION 9.05

   Survival    101

SECTION 9.06

   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness    102

SECTION 9.07

   Severability    102

SECTION 9.08

   Right of Setoff    102

SECTION 9.09

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process    103

SECTION 9.10

   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL    103

SECTION 9.11

   Headings    104

SECTION 9.12

   Confidentiality    104

SECTION 9.13

   Interest Rate Limitation    105

SECTION 9.14

   USA Patriot Act    105

SECTION 9.15

   No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility    105

SECTION 9.16

   Judgment Currency    106

 

SCHEDULES :

 
Schedule 1.01  

–       Mandatory Costs

Schedule 1.04  

–       Investment Policy

Schedule 2.01  

–       Commitments

Schedule 3.06  

–       Disclosed Matters

Schedule 3.12  

–       Subsidiaries

Schedule 6.02  

–       Existing Liens

Schedule 6.04  

–       Existing Investments

Schedule 6.07  

Agreements with Affiliates

 

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Schedule 9.01

 

–       Administrative Agent’s Office

EXHIBITS :

Exhibit A  

–       Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit B-1  

–       Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit B-2  

–       Form of Swingline Loan Notice

Exhibit C  

–       Form of Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Exhibit D  

–       Form of United States Tax Compliance Certificate

 

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Exhibit 4.3

CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of January 15, 2010 (this “ Credit Agreement ” or this “ Agreement ”), among THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party hereto, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank.

The Borrower has requested that (a) the Tranche A Lenders extend credit in the form of Tranche A Term Loans on the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $350,000,000, (b) the Tranche X Lenders extend credit in the form of Tranche X Term Loans on the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $350,000,000 and (c) the Revolving Lenders extend credit in the form of Revolving Loans, the Swingline Lender extend credit in the form of Swingline Loans and the Issuing Bank issue Letters of Credit, in each case at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period such that the aggregate Revolving Exposures will not exceed $250,000,000 at any time. In addition, the Borrower may request that the Lenders or prospective Additional Lenders agree to provide Incremental Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.18 from time to time on or after the Closing Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000,000.

The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower, and the Issuing Bank is willing to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

Accordingly, 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 Base Rate.

ABR Gross-Up Amount ” means, with respect to any Non-ABR Lender’s ABR Term Loan for any day on which such ABR Term Loan is outstanding, the lesser of:

(a) the actual amount (as determined in good faith by the applicable Lender and set forth in a reasonably detailed certificate delivered to the Borrower) by which (i) the Lender’s cost of funding such Lender’s ABR Term Loan for such day exceeded (ii) the Base Rate for such day minus 1.00% per annum; and

(b) the amount by which (i) the Eurocurrency Rate for an interest period of one day commencing on such date (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day) exceeded (ii) the Base Rate for such day minus 1.00% per annum.

Acceptable Bank ” means (i) a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non-credit-enhanced debt obligations of A2 or higher by S&P, F2 or


higher by Fitch Ratings Ltd or P2 or higher by Moody’s or a comparable rating from an internationally recognized credit rating agency or (ii) any other bank or financial institution approved by the Administrative Agent.

Acquisition ” means any acquisition by the Borrower or a Subsidiary (and including any Investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in any other Subsidiary for purposes of financing such acquisition) of (i) a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests in, or all or substantially all the assets of, or the assets constituting a division or line of business of, a Person or (ii) any asset of another Person constituting a business unit of such other Person.

Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.

Additional Lenders ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(b).

Administrative Agent ” means Bank of America, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Article VIII.

Administrative Agent’s Office ” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 9.01 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

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; provided , however , that for purposes of Section 6.07, the term “Affiliate” shall also include any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, owns 5% or more of any class of Equity Interests of the Person specified or that is an officer or director of the Person specified.

Agent Parties ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01.

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Agreement Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term by Section 9.16.

Alternative Currency ” means each of Euro, Sterling, Norwegian Kroner, Swedish Kronor and each other currency (other than Dollars) that is approved in accordance with Section 1.07.

Alternative Currency Equivalent ” means, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Alternative Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of such Alternative Currency with Dollars.

 

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Alternative Currency Sublimit ” means $75.0 million.

Applicable Percentage ” means, at any time with respect to any Revolving Lender, the percentage, rounded to the ninth decimal place, of the aggregate Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time. If the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments of Revolving Loans, LC Exposures and Swingline Exposures that occur after such termination or expiration.

Applicable Rate ” means, from time to time, the following percentages per annum, based upon the Debt Rating as set forth below:

 

Pricing

Level

  

Debt Rating

   Facility
Fee
    Applicable
Margin for
Eurocurrency
Loans under
the Term Loan
Facilities
    Applicable
Margin for
Eurocurrency
Loans under the
Revolving Credit
Facilities and
Letter of Credit
Fees
    Applicable
Margin for ABR
Loans under the
Term Loan
Facilities
    Applicable
Margin for ABR
Loans under the
Revolving Credit
Facilities
 
1    ³ BBB+ / Baa1    0.35   1.75   1.40   0.75   0.40
2    BBB / Baa2    0.40   2.00   1.60   1.00   0.60
3    BBB- / Baa3    0.50   2.25   1.75   1.25   0.75
4    Either rating < BBB- / Baa3    0.625   2.75   2.125   1.75   1.125
5    Both ratings < BBB- / Baa3    0.75   3.25   2.50   2.25   1.50

Initially, the Applicable Rate shall be determined based upon Pricing Level 2. Thereafter, each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a publicly announced change in the Debt Rating shall be effective, in the case of an upgrade, during the period commencing on the date of the public announcement thereof and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change and, in the case of a downgrade, during the period commencing on the date of the public announcement thereof and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change.

Applicable Requirements ” means any Requirement of Law or any request by any Governmental Authority or any minimum capital requirements imposed by any Governmental Authority applicable to any Regulated Subsidiary.

Approved Fund ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Arrangers ” means the U.S. Lead Arrangers and the Nordic Lead Arrangers.

Asset Sale ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.05.

Assignee Group ” means one or more Approved Funds that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

 

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Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(a)(viii).

Bank of America ” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

Base Rate ” means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus  1 / 2 of 1%, (b) the 30 day BBA LIBOR (as defined in the definition of Eurocurrency Rate) plus 1% and (c) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate.” The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Borrower Materials ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.

Borrowing ” means (a) Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency 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 which, if in writing, shall be in the form of Exhibit B-1 .

Broker Dealer Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is registered as a broker dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the Exchange Act (as in effect from time to time) or that is regulated as a broker dealer or underwriter under any foreign securities law.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes or administrative or judicial authorities of, or in fact are closed in, New York City or the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office with respect to Obligations denominated in Dollars is located and:

(a) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in Dollars, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market;

 

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(b) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in Euro, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Euro in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan, or any other dealings in Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan, means a TARGET Day;

(c) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in the relevant currency are conducted by and between banks in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for such currency; and

(d) if such day relates to any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in a currency other than Dollars or Euro in respect of a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, or any other dealings in any currency other than Dollars or Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan (other than any interest rate settings), means any such day on which banks are open for foreign exchange business in the principal financial center of the country of such currency.

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.

Cash Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(e).

Cash Collateralize ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(e).

Change in Control ” means:

(a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act, and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of Equity Interests representing either (x) more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power (it being understood that to the extent that Equity Interests held by any such Person or group are disregarded for ordinary voting purposes pursuant to the terms of the Borrower’s Organizational Documents, such

 

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Equity Interests shall not be included for purposes of determining whether the threshold set forth in this subclause (x) has been met) or (y) more than 50% of the aggregate equity value represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower, or

(b) the occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who are not Continuing Directors; or

(c) the occurrence of a “Change in Control” (or similar event, however denominated), as defined in any indenture or agreement in respect of Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

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 the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.13(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the 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.

Charges ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.13.

Class ,” (a) when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche X Term Loans or Swingline Loans, (b) when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment, Tranche A Term Commitment, Tranche X Commitment or Swingline Commitment, and (c) when used in reference to any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class.

CLO ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Closing Date ” means the first Business Day on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02) and Loans are made hereunder.

Closing Fee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.10(d).

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, Tranche A Commitment or Tranche X Commitment and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment.

 

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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) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (ii) any interest accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is required to be capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense for such period in accordance with GAAP and (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, 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, (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 payable in kind for such period, and (iii) any break funding payment made pursuant to Section 2.14.

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, (ii) consolidated income tax expense for such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period (excluding amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period), (iv) any non-recurring non-cash charges for such period, (v) non-recurring charges incurred during such period in respect of restructurings, headcount reductions or other similar actions, including severance charges in respect of employee terminations, in an amount not to exceed $45.0 million for all periods during the term of this Agreement and $15.0 million during any one fiscal year of the Borrower, (vi) non-cash expenses resulting from the grant of stock options or other equity-related incentives to any director, officer or employee of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to a written plan or agreement approved by the board of directors of the Borrower, (vii) non-cash charges attributable to impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets or impairment of long-lived assets, (viii) the aggregate amount of all deferred financing fees and expenses incurred during such period in connection with the Transactions, all non-recurring fees and expenses (excluding interest charges) paid during such period in connection with the Transactions (including, without limitation, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance or extinguishment of debt incurred in connection with the Transaction) and related fees and expenses paid to advisors (but excluding integration and restructuring charges incurred or paid in connection with the Transactions), (ix) all non-cash expenses or charges (to the extent not included in (viii) above) incurred during such period in connection with the Transactions, (x) integration and restructuring expenses and charges incurred during such period in connection with Acquisitions consummated prior to the Closing Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed (i) for the period from April 1, 2009 until December 31, 2009, $75,000,000 and (ii) since January 1, 2010, $75,000,000, in each case set forth in reasonable detail and certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower and (xi) any costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with any actual or proposed Acquisition, merger, any acquisition, joint venture, issuance of Equity Interests, issuance or prepayments of Indebtedness, disposition or Investment permitted herein, in each case whether or not consummated, and minus (b) without duplication and (except in the case of clause (i) to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income), the

 

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sum of (i) any cash disbursements during such period that relate to non-cash charges or losses added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (a)(iv) or (a)(vi) of this definition in any prior period, (ii) any extraordinary gains for such period, (iii) any non-cash gains for such period that represent the reversal of any accrual in a prior period for, or the reversal of any cash reserves established in a prior period for, anticipated cash charges, (iv) any income relating to defined benefits pension or post-retirement benefit plans and (v) all gains during such period resulting from the sale or disposition of any asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary outside the ordinary course of business, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income or loss of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income of any Subsidiary (other than any Regulated Subsidiary) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or other distributions by such Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by any of its Organizational Documents, a Requirement of Law or any agreement or instrument applicable to such Subsidiary, except to the extent of the amount of cash dividends or other cash distributions actually paid to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (unless the income of such Subsidiary in receipt of such cash dividend or other cash distribution would be excluded from Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this definition) during such period, (b) the income of any Regulated Subsidiary (i) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or other distributions by such Regulated Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by any of its Organizational Documents or any agreement or instrument applicable to such Regulated Subsidiary (other than any agreement or instrument with such Regulated Subsidiary’s applicable Governmental Authorities) and (ii) other than to the extent that such Regulated Subsidiary reasonably believes, in good faith, that such income could be distributed, declared and paid as a dividend or similar distribution without causing such Regulated Subsidiary’s capital, share capital or equity, as applicable, to be at or below the highest level at which dividends by such Regulated Subsidiary may be restricted, other activities undertaken by such Regulated Subsidiary may be limited or other regulatory actions with respect to such Regulated Subsidiary may be taken, in each case by applicable Governmental Authorities based upon such capital, share capital or equity, as applicable (but for the avoidance of doubt, cash dividends or other cash distributions actually paid to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (unless the income of such Subsidiary in receipt of such cash dividend or other cash distribution would be excluded from Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this definition) by such Regulated Subsidiary during such period shall be included in Consolidated Net Income for such period), (c) the income of any Person (other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary) in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary owns an Equity Interest, except to the extent of the amount of cash dividends or other cash distributions actually paid to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (unless the income of such Subsidiary would be excluded from Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this proviso) during such period and (d) the income of any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (whether or not consolidated for financial reporting purposes with the Borrower) attributable to minority equity interests in such Subsidiary held by Persons other than the Borrower and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries. For purposes of calculating a Regulated Subsidiary’s capital, share capital and/or equity at any time pursuant to clause (b)(ii) of this definition, as applicable, receivables that are less than 30 days old at such time and are reasonably expected to be collected shall be deemed to be cash in an amount equal to 80% of the balance sheet value of such receivables.

 

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Continuing Director ” means (a) any member of the Board of Directors of the Borrower who was a member of the Board of Directors of the Borrower on the date of this Agreement and (b) any individual who becomes a member of the Board of Directors of the Borrower after the date of this Agreement if such individual was appointed, elected or nominated for election to the Board of Directors of the Borrower with the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, or the dismissal or appointment of the management, of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Cost of Funds Rate ” means, as of any day, the rate of interest determined by the Administrative Agent to be representative of its or the applicable Lenders’ cost of funds, as applicable, to extend or maintain credit under this Agreement on such day.

Debt Rating ” means, as of any date of determination, the rating as determined by either S&P or Moody’s (collectively, the “ Debt Ratings ”) of the Company’s non-credit-enhanced, senior unsecured long-term debt; provided that (a) if the respective Debt Ratings issued by the foregoing rating agencies differ by one level, then the Pricing Level for the higher of such Debt Ratings shall apply (with the Debt Rating for Pricing Level 1 being the highest and the Debt Rating for Pricing Level 5 being the lowest); (b) if there is a split in Debt Ratings of more than one level, then the Pricing Level that is one level higher than the Pricing Level of the lower Debt Rating shall apply; (c) if the Company has only one Debt Rating, the Pricing Level that is one level lower than that of such Debt Rating shall apply; and (d) if the Company does not have any Debt Rating, Pricing Level 5 shall apply.

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 ” means any Revolving Lender whose acts or failure to act, whether directly or indirectly, cause it to meet any part of the definition of “Lender Default,” as determined by the Administrative Agent.

Disclosed Matters ” means the actions, suits and proceedings and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06 .

Disqualified Equity Interests ” means Equity Interests that (a) require the payment of any dividends (other than dividends payable solely in shares of Qualified Equity Interests), (b) mature or are mandatorily redeemable or subject to mandatory repurchase or redemption or repurchase at the option of the holders thereof, in whole or in part and whether upon the

 

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occurrence of any event, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation, on a fixed date or otherwise, prior to the date that is 91 days after the Maturity Date (other than upon payment in full of the Obligations, reduction of the LC Exposure to zero and termination of the Commitments or upon a “change in control,” provided that any payment required pursuant to a “change in control” is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and such requirement is not applicable in more circumstances than pursuant to the change of control provisions in the Senior Notes Documents), or (c) are convertible or exchangeable, automatically or at the option of any holder thereof, into any Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other assets other than Qualified Equity Interests.

Documentation Agents ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), each in its capacity as a documentation agent for the Facilities.

Dollar Equivalent ” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any Alternative Currency, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of Dollars with such Alternative Currency.

Dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

EMU Legislation ” means the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

Environmental Laws ” means all treaties, laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the generation, management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of medical monitoring, costs of environmental remediation or restoration, administrative oversight costs, consultants’ fees, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or permit, license or approval issued thereunder, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or 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 Equivalents ” means all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests, and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase or subscribe for any Equity Interests, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

 

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Equity Interests ” means shares, 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 from time to time.

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 (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) 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 of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan, (e) 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 Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (g) 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, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

Euro ” means the lawful currency of the Participating Member States introduced in accordance with the EMU Legislation.

Eurocurrency ,” 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 Eurocurrency Rate.

Eurocurrency Rate ” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Loan, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“ BBA LIBOR ”), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in the relevant currency (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason (as provided in Section 2.19), then the “Eurocurrency Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined as the average of the Quoted Rates supplied to the Administrative Agent by the Reference Banks in accordance with Section 2.19.

 

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Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange and Clearing Operations ” means the business relating to exchange and clearing, depository and settlement operations conducted by any Subsidiary.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction described in clause (a) above and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.17(b)), any U.S. federal withholding tax that (i) is in effect and would apply to amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to any withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.15(a), or (ii) is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.15(e).

Existing Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement, dated February 27, 2008, as amended, among the Borrower, Bank of America as administrative agent, collateral agent, swingline lender and issuing bank, and the other lenders party thereto.

Facilities ” means the credit and loan facilities provided for in this Agreement.

Fair Labor Standards Act ” means the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq .

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of  1 / 100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

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Fee Letter ” means (a) the amended and restated letter agreement, dated as of January 12, 2010, by and among the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (b) the amended and restated fee letter, dated as of January 12, 2010 by and among the Borrower and Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the U.S. Lead Arrangers.

Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.

Foreign Lender ” means any Lender that is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

Funded Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person;

(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 in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable and other accrued obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business);

(d) all Funded 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 Funded Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed;

(e) all Guarantees by such Person of Funded Indebtedness of others;

(f) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person; and

(g) all drafts drawn (to the extent unreimbursed) under any letter of credit, letter of guaranty or bankers’ acceptance for the account of such Person.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, (i) the term “Funded Indebtedness” shall not include contingent post-closing purchase price adjustments or earn-outs to which the seller in any Acquisition may become entitled and (ii) the amount of Consolidated Indebtedness for which recourse is limited either to a specified amount or to an identified asset of such Person shall be deemed to be equal to such specified amount or the fair market value of such identified asset as determined by such Person in good faith. For the avoidance of doubt, Qualified Equity Interests shall not be deemed Funded Indebtedness.

 

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GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America; provided that the Borrower may make a one-time election to switch to IFRS, if permitted to do so by the SEC in the Borrower’s filings with the SEC, and following such election and the notification in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower thereof, “GAAP” shall mean IFRS. After such election, the Borrower cannot subsequently elect to report under 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 (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Granting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

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.

Hazardous Materials ” means all explosive or radioactive substances, materials or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, materials, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances, materials or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Honor Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(a)(x).

IFRS ” means the International Financial Reporting Standards issued and/or adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board, as in effect from time to time.

Incremental Facility Amendment ” means an amendment pursuant to Section 2.18 creating Incremental Revolving Commitments.

 

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Incremental Facility Closing Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(b).

Incremental Revolving Commitments ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(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 trade accounts payable and other accrued obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business), (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 and (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances. 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 the foregoing, in connection with any Acquisition, the term “Indebtedness” shall not include contingent post-closing purchase price adjustments or earn-outs to which the seller in such Acquisition may become entitled. For the avoidance of doubt, Qualified Equity Interests shall not be deemed Indebtedness.

Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03(b).

Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.12.

Interest Coverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA to (b) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most-recently ended prior to such date for which financial statements have been or were required to be delivered pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of Section 5.01).

Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (including a Swingline Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date of such Loan and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last Business Day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the

 

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case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each Business Day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the Maturity Date of such Loan.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter (or nine or twelve months thereafter if, at the time of the relevant Borrowing, all Lenders participating therein agree in writing to make an interest period of such duration available), 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, (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 and (c) no Interest Period for any Borrowing shall extend past the Maturity Date for the Loans included in such Borrowing. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Investment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.04.

ISP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

Issuer Documents ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the Issuing Bank and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the Issuing Bank and relating to such Letter of Credit.

Issuing Bank ” means Bank of America, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity approved by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. The Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

Joint Bookrunning Managers ” means Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.), in their capacities as joint bookrunning managers.

Judgment Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term by Section 9.16.

LC Advance ” means, with respect to each Revolving Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any LC Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

 

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LC Borrowing ” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed by the Borrower on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Loan. All LC Borrowings shall be denominated in Dollars.

LC Credit Extension ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn Outstanding Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time and (b) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all LC Borrowings at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate LC Exposure at such time.

Lender Default ” means (i) the refusal (which may be given verbally or in writing) which has not been retracted or failure of any Lender to (x) make available its portion of any incurrence of Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.01, (y) fund any participation in a Swingline Loan pursuant to Section 2.04(c) or (z) make available any required LC Advance in accordance with Section 2.05(a), which refusal or failure is not cured within one Business Day after the date of such refusal or failure; (ii) the failure of any Lender to pay over to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute; or (iii) a Lender has admitted in writing that it is insolvent or such Lender becomes subject to a Lender-Related Distress Event.

Lender-Related Distress Event ” mean, with respect to any Lender or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender (each, a “ Distressed Person ”), as the case may be, a voluntary or involuntary case with respect to such Distressed Person under any debtor relief law, or a custodian, conservator, receiver or similar official is appointed for such Distressed Person or any substantial part of such Distressed Person’s assets, or such Distressed Person or any person that directly or indirectly controls such Distressed Person is subject to a forced liquidation, or such Distressed Person makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or is otherwise adjudicated as, or determined by any governmental authority having regulatory authority over such Distressed Person or its assets to be, insolvent or bankrupt; provided that a Lender-Related Distress Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in any Lender or any person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender 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 or pursuant to an Incremental Facility Amendment, 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 Lender.

 

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Letter of Credit ” means any standby letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.

Letter of Credit Application ” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the Issuing Bank.

Leverage Ratio ” means as of any date, the ratio of (a) Total Indebtedness as of such date minus the lesser of (i) cash and cash equivalents (determined in accordance with GAAP) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, other than cash and cash equivalents not readily available for use by the Borrower in its discretion (including customer-segregated cash and cash equivalents and cash and cash equivalents required by applicable law or regulatory requirement to be maintained as such by the Borrower or any Subsidiary), and (ii) $150,000,000, to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended prior to such date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01).

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.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, each Issuer Document, any Incremental Facility Amendment and, solely for purposes of clause (e) of Article VII, the Fee Letter.

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

Mandatory Cost ” means, with respect to any period, the percentage rate per annum determined in accordance with Schedule 1.01 .

Margin Stock ” has the meaning assigned thereto in Regulation U of the Board.

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, properties or financial condition of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower to perform any of its material obligations under any Loan Document or (c) the rights of or remedies available to the Lenders under the Loan Documents, taken as a whole.

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 the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $50,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

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Material Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries (i) which the Borrower has elected to treat as a Material Subsidiary or (ii) (a) whose total assets (on a consolidated basis with its subsidiaries) at the last day of the relevant fiscal year (individually or in the aggregate) were equal to or greater than 5.0% of the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries at such date or (b) whose revenues (on a consolidated basis with its subsidiaries) for the most recently ended fiscal year for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) (individually or in the aggregate) are equal to or greater than 5.0% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such fiscal year; provided that at no time shall the total consolidated assets or total consolidated revenues of all Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries in reliance on clause (ii) above exceed, at such time, 5.0% of the consolidated total assets or 5.0% of the consolidated total revenues, respectively, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and if either such aggregate threshold is exceeded then the Borrower shall designate a sufficient number of Subsidiaries which would not constitute Material Subsidiaries under clause (ii) above as Material Subsidiaries such that neither such aggregate threshold is exceeded. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of determining whether any Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary for purposes of clauses (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) or (k) of Article VII (each, a “ Specified Exception ”), all Subsidiaries as to which the Borrower has previously relied on a Specified Exception shall be aggregated (based on the calculation of the amounts set forth in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence as of the time such Specified Exception was relied on with respect to each such Subsidiary) for purposes of determining whether a Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary for purposes of such Specified Exception ( e.g ., if on March 1, 2009, a Subsidiary which accounted for 3.0% of the Borrower’s consolidated assets as of December 31, 2008 and 3.0% of the Borrower’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 becomes subject to a proceeding described in clause (h) of Article VII, then for purposes of determining whether a second Subsidiary is a “Material Subsidiary” for purposes of Article VII on March 1, 2010, if such second Subsidiary accounted for 2% of the Borrower’s consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2% of the Borrower’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009, such second Subsidiary would not be a “Material Subsidiary” for purposes of Article VII but if such second Subsidiary accounted for 2.5% of the Borrower’s consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2.5% of the Borrower’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009, then such second Subsidiary would constitute a “Material Subsidiary” for purposes of Article VII).

Maturity Date ” means January 15, 2013.

Maximum Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.13.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

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Net Proceeds ” means, with respect to any event, (a) the cash proceeds received in respect of such event, including (i) any cash received in respect of any non-cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment or earn-out, but excluding any interest payments, but only as and when received), (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds, and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum of (i) all customary fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to third parties (other than Affiliates) in connection with such event, (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), the amount of all payments that are permitted hereunder and are made by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event and (iii) the amount of all taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable) by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, and the amount of any reserves established by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, in each case during the year that such event occurred or the next succeeding year and that are directly attributable to such event (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer), provided that any reduction at any time in the amount of any such reserves (other than as a result of payments made in respect thereof) shall be deemed to constitute the receipt by the Borrower at such time of Net Proceeds in the amount of such reduction. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, proceeds received in any Prepayment Event with respect to any Regulated Subsidiary shall not constitute Net Proceeds if and to the extent that at the time the related prepayment of Loans pursuant to Section 2.09 would be required to be made by the Borrower in good faith believes that the distribution of such proceeds to the Borrower would result in the capital of such Regulated Subsidiary being below the minimum capital requirement set forth by an applicable Governmental Authority for such Regulated Subsidiary.

Non-ABR Lender ” means any Lender that does not extend credit based on a U.S. “prime rate” or Federal Funds Rate in the ordinary course of its business.

Non-Consenting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

Nonrenewal Notice Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b)(ii).

Nordic Lead Arrangers ” means Nordea Bank AB and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, in their capacity as Nordic lead arrangers.

Norwegian Kroner ” means the lawful currency of the Kingdom of Norway.

Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the principal of 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 under the Credit Agreement paid equally and ratably, when and

 

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as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, in each case, free and clear and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, (ii) each payment required to be made by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest and fees thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral, and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, paid equally and ratably, including obligations to pay fees (including participation and commitment fees), expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, 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), and (b) the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents.

OMX ” means OMX AB (publ), a public limited liability company, registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office with corporate identity number 556243-8001.

OMX Group ” means OMX and its Subsidiaries.

Organizational Documents ” means, with respect to any Person, the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person.

Other Taxes ” means any and all present or future recording, stamp, documentary, excise, transfer, sales, property or similar Taxes, charges or levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

Outstanding Amount ” means (i) with respect to Loans on any date, the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Loans occurring on such date; and (ii) with respect to any Letter of Credit or LC Disbursement on any date, the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding amount of such Letter of Credit or LC Disbursement on such date after giving effect to any issuance or amendment of any Letter of Credit occurring on such date, any drawing under any Letter of Credit occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the LC Exposure as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of LC Disbursements.

Overnight Rate ” means, for any day, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in an Alternative Currency, the rate of interest per annum at which overnight deposits in the applicable Alternative Currency, in an amount approximately equal to the

 

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amount with respect to which such rate is being determined, would be offered for such day by a branch or Affiliate of Bank of America in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency to major banks in such interbank market.

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Participating Member State ” means any member state of the European Communities that adopts or has adopted the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

(a) Liens imposed by law for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlords’ 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 5.04;

(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, pension liabilities, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations or other insurance-related obligations (including, without limitation, pledges or deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements);

(d) deposits 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 Article VII;

(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business 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 the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(g) Liens arising from Permitted Investments described in clause (h) of the definition of the term “Permitted Investments”;

 

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(h) Liens arising in connection with ordinary course non-speculative hedging arrangements and bankers’ Liens granted in the ordinary course of business relating to the operation of bank accounts maintained by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or as part of letter of credit transactions and Liens granted in customary escrow arrangements on sales and acquisitions permitted by this Agreement;

(i) any netting or setoff arrangement entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements or in connection with the cash pooling activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(j) customary Liens over goods, inventory or documents of title where the shipment or storage price is financed by a documentary credit;

(k) 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;

(l) Liens constituting contractual rights of setoff under agreements with customers, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(m) the filing of UCC financing statements solely as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases or consignment of goods;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness for borrowed money.

Permitted Investments ” means:

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b) any Investment in marketable debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the government of the United Kingdom, any member state of the European Economic Area or any Participating Member State or by an instrumentality or agency of any of them whose indebtedness is rated not less than A by S&P or A2 by Moody’s (or equivalent from an internationally recognized credit rating agency) maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(c) Investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

 

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(d) Investments in commercial paper not convertible or exchangeable to any other security (i) for which a recognized trading market exists, (ii) issued by an issuer incorporated in the United Kingdom, any member state of the European Economic Area or any Participating Member State, (iii) which matures within one year after the relevant date of calculation and (iv) which has a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by S&P or Fitch Ratings Ltd or P-1 or higher by Moody’s, or, if no rating is available in respect of the commercial paper, the issuer of which has, in respect of its long-term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt obligations, an equivalent rating;

(e) Investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time or demand deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any Acceptable Bank;

(f) sterling bills of exchange eligible for rediscount at the Bank of England and accepted by an Acceptable Bank (or their dematerialised equivalent);

(g) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (b) above;

(h) Investments in “money market funds” within the meaning of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, substantially all of whose assets are invested in Investments of the type described in clauses (a) through (c) above;

(i) any Investment accessible within 60 days in money market funds which have a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by S&P or Fitch Rating Ltd or P-1 or higher by Moody’s and which invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (c) above;

(j) Investments that comply with the Investment Policy set forth on Schedule 1.04 ; and

(k) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, other high quality Investments similar in tenure and credit quality to those described in clauses (a) through (j) above that are customarily used by companies in the jurisdictions in which such Foreign Subsidiary operates for short term cash management purposes.

Person ” means any natural person or entity, including any corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership or Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) 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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Platform ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.

Prepayment Event ” means:

(a) any sale, transfer or other disposition (including by way of merger or consolidation) of any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to clause (j) of Section 6.05, resulting in aggregate Net Proceeds exceeding $10,000,000; or

(b) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to any series of related events resulting in aggregate Net Proceeds exceeding $10,000,000.

Pro Forma Basis ” means, with respect to the calculation of the Leverage Ratio or the Interest Coverage Ratio, that such calculation shall give pro forma effect to all Restricted Payments, creation or incurrence of Liens or Acquisitions, all issuances, incurrences or assumptions and all repayments of Indebtedness (with any such Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) and all sales, transfers or other dispositions of any material assets outside the ordinary course of business that have occurred since the beginning of the four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the Borrower most-recently ended on or prior to such date for which financial statements have been or were required to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 5.01 as if they occurred on the first day of such four consecutive fiscal quarter period (including cost savings resulting from headcount reductions, facility closings or similar restructurings to the extent such cost savings (a) would be permitted to be reflected in pro forma financial information complying with the requirements of GAAP and Article XI of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as interpreted by the Staff of the SEC, and as certified by a Financial Officer or (b) have been realized or for which the steps necessary for realization have been taken, and as certified by a Financial Officer.

Proposed Change ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(b).

Public Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.

Qualified Equity Interests ” means Equity Interests of the Borrower other than Disqualified Equity Interests.

Quotation Day ” in respect of the determination of the Eurocurrency Rate for any Interest Period (a) for any Borrowing, conversion or continuation in Dollars or any Alternative Currency (other than Sterling), means the day on which quotations would normally be given by prime banks in the London interbank market for deposits in the currency in which such Borrowing, conversion or continuation is denominated for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period; provided that if quotations would normally be given on more than one date, the Quotation Day for such Interest Period shall be the last of such dates, and (b) for any Borrowing, conversion or continuation denominated in Sterling, means the first day of such Interest Period.

 

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Quoted Rate ” means, with respect to any Borrowing, conversion or continuation, the rate at which deposits in the relevant currency for delivery on the first day of the relevant Interest Period in Same Day Funds in the approximate amount of the Eurocurrency Rate Loan being made, converted or continued are offered by the applicable Reference Bank in the London interbank market at 11:00 a.m., London time (in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency other than Euro) or the European interbank market at 11:00 a.m., Brussels time (in the case of Loans denominated in Euro), as applicable, in each case, on the Quotation Day for the currency in which such Loan is denominated prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

Reference Banks ” means Bank of America, Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.).

Refinancing ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(a)(vii).

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Regulated Subsidiary ” means (i) any Broker Dealer Subsidiary, (ii) any Subsidiary regulated as an insurance company or clearinghouse, and (iii) any Subsidiary whose dividends may be restricted, other activities undertaken by such Subsidiary may be limited or other regulatory actions with respect to such Subsidiary may be taken, in each case by applicable Governmental Authorities in the event that such Subsidiary does not maintain capital at the level required by applicable Governmental Authorities.

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 or through the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or within or upon any building, structure, facility or fixture.

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments), collectively, representing more than 50% of the aggregate Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) at such time; provided that the unused Revolving Commitments and Revolving Exposure held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Required Revolving Lenders ” means, at any time, Revolving Lenders having outstanding Revolving Commitments (or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated, the

 

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Revolving Exposures), collectively, representing more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Commitments (or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated, the Revolving Exposures) at such time; provided that the unused Revolving Commitments and Revolving Exposure held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Revolving Lenders.

Requirement of Law ” means, with respect to any Person, any statute, law, treaty, rule, regulation, order, decree, writ, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer or other similar officer or Person performing similar functions of the Borrower and, as to any document delivered on the Effective Date, any secretary or assistant secretary of the Borrower. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of the Borrower and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of the Borrower.

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in 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, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any other payment (including any payment under any Swap Agreement) that has a substantially similar effect to any of the foregoing, in each case, other than through the issuance of Qualified Equity Interests. For the avoidance of doubt, payments with respect to Indebtedness convertible into Equity Interests shall not be deemed to be Restricted Payments (but shall be subject to Section 6.06(b)).

Revaluation Date ” means (a) with respect to any Loan, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency pursuant to Section 2.03 and (iii) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably determine or the Required Revolving Lenders shall reasonably require; and (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) each date of an amendment of any such Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof (solely with respect to the increased amount), (iii) each date of any payment by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency and (iv) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall reasonably determine or the Required Revolving Lenders shall reasonably require.

 

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Revolving Availability Period ” means the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.

Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04 or pursuant to any Incremental Facility Amendment. The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 to this Agreement, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as the case may be. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments is $250,000,000.

Revolving Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the Outstanding Amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.

Revolving Lender ” means a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.

Revolving Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to clause (c) of Section 2.01.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, Inc.

Same Day Funds ” means (a) with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds, and (b) with respect to disbursements and payments in an Alternative Currency, same day or other funds as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in the relevant Alternative Currency.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Senior Notes ” means the senior unsecured notes of the Borrower issued and sold on the Closing Date pursuant to the Senior Notes Documents.

Senior Notes Documents ” means the Senior Notes Indenture and all side letters, instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing the Senior Notes, providing for any right in respect thereof, affecting the terms thereof or entered into in connection therewith and all schedules, exhibits and annexes to each of the foregoing.

Senior Notes Indenture ” means the Indenture dated as of January 15, 2010, between the Borrower and the trustee party thereto, in respect of the Senior Notes.

 

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SFSA ” means the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority ( Sw: Finansinspektionen ).

Spot Rate ” for a currency means the rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; and provided further that the Issuing Bank may use such spot rate quoted on the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made in the case of any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency.

SPV ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

Sterling ” and “ £ ” mean the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

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 well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or 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, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Borrower.

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future, spot currency purchase, hedging 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 the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

Swedish Kronor ” means the lawful currency of the Kingdom of Sweden.

Swingline Commitment ” means the commitment of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans.

 

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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 Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender ” means Bank of America, in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Swingline Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.

Swingline Loan Notice ” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing of Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.03 which, if in writing, shall be in the form of Exhibit B-2 .

TARGET Day ” means any day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.

Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected or withheld by any Governmental Authority, and any interest, penalties or additions to tax related thereto.

Term Loans ” mean the Tranche A Term Loans and the Tranche X Term Loans.

Total Indebtedness ” means, without duplication, as of any date, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries included as a liability on the balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis plus any guarantee of indebtedness of any third party, provided that the term “Indebtedness” shall not include (i) contingent obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as an account party or applicant in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty unless such letter of credit or letter of guaranty supports an obligation that constitutes Indebtedness and (ii) any unfunded commitment or (iii) any Indebtedness or Guarantees permitted by Section 6.01(xii) and outstanding in reliance of such Section 6.01(xii).

Tranche A Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make a Tranche A Term Loan hereunder pursuant to Section 2.01(a), expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Tranche A Term Loans to be made by such Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(a), as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender’s Tranche A Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 . The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Tranche A Commitments is $350,000,000.

Tranche A Lender ” means a Lender with a Tranche A Commitment or an outstanding Tranche A Term Loan.

 

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Tranche A Term Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to clause (a) of Section 2.01.

Tranche X Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make a Tranche X Term Loan hereunder pursuant to Section 2.01(b), expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Tranche X Term Loans to be made by such Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(b), as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender’s Tranche X Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 . The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Tranche X Commitments is $350,000,000.

Tranche X Lender ” means a Lender with a Tranche X Commitment or an outstanding Tranche X Term Loan.

Tranche X Term Loan ” means a Loan made pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.01.

Transaction Costs ” means all fees, costs and expense incurred or payable by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions.

Transactions ” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Loan Documents to which it is to be a party, the borrowing of Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche X Term Loans and the use of the proceeds thereof, (b) the Refinancing, (c) the issuance of the Senior Notes and (d) the payment of the Transaction Costs.

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 Eurocurrency Rate or the Base Rate.

UK ESOP Program ” means any program in which any member of the OMX Group acts as an intermediary in the UK for customers’ exercise of employee stock option programs and/or equivalent incentive schemes that the customers have for its employees.

U.S. Lead Arrangers ” means Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., each in its capacity as a U.S. lead arranger.

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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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 by Type ( e.g ., a “Eurocurrency Loan”) or by Class and Type ( e.g ., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g ., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type ( e.g ., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”) or by Class and Type ( e.g ., a “Eurocurrency 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 otherwise indicated or 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, 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 (including any election by the Borrower to operate under IFRS) 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 or election shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.

SECTION 1.05 Pro Forma Calculations . For purposes of any determination of the Interest Coverage Ratio or Leverage Ratio pursuant to Section 2.09, Section 2.18 or any covenant set forth in Article VI (a) for any period during which any Acquisition or any sale, transfer or other disposition of any material assets outside the ordinary course of business occurs (or has occurred since the last day of such period), the calculation of the Interest Coverage Ratio or Leverage Ratio with respect to such period for such purpose shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis and (b) prior to the delivery date for financial statements under Section 5.01(b) for the fiscal

 

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period ended March 31, 2010, the calculation of the Interest Coverage Ratio or Leverage Ratio shall be as of the end of the period for which the most recent financial statements of the Borrower have been furnished pursuant to either Section 3.04 or Section 5.01(a) or (b), and the levels for such Interest Coverage Ratio and Leverage Ratio shall be the levels set forth in Section 6.08 and 6.09 for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2010.

SECTION 1.06 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents .

(a) The Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, shall determine the Spot Rates as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Revolving Exposure and Outstanding Amounts denominated in Alternative Currencies. Such Spot Rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by the Borrower hereunder or calculating financial ratios hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as applicable; provided that for purposes of determining compliance with any Dollar-denominated restriction on (x) the incurrence of Indebtedness, the Dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness is incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit date; provided that, if indebtedness is incurred to extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease other Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars, and such extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance would cause the applicable Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance, such Dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased; and (y) the making of any Investment, the Dollar-equivalent amount of any Investment denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Investment was made.

(b) Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Eurocurrency Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing, Eurocurrency Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in an Alternative Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Alternative Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternative Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be.

 

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SECTION 1.07 Additional Alternative Currencies .

(a) The Borrower may from time to time request that Revolving Loans be made and/or Letters of Credit be issued in a currency other than those specifically listed in the definition of “Alternative Currency”; provided that such requested currency is a lawful currency (other than Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into Dollars. In the case of any such request with respect to the making of Eurocurrency Loans, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lenders; and in the case of any such request with respect to the issuance of Letters of Credit, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank.

(b) Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m., 15 Business Days prior to the date of the desired credit extension (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the Issuing Bank, in its or their sole discretion). In the case of any such request pertaining to Eurocurrency Loans, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender thereof; and in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Issuing Bank thereof. Each Revolving Lender (in the case of any such request pertaining to Eurocurrency Loans) or the Issuing Bank (in the case of a request pertaining to Letters of Credit) shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m., seven Business Days after receipt of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the making of Eurocurrency Rate Revolving Loans or the issuance of Letters of Credit, as the case may be, in such requested currency.

(c) Any failure by a Revolving Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to permit Eurocurrency Rate Revolving Loans to be made or Letters of Credit to be issued in such requested currency. If the Administrative Agent and all the Revolving Lenders consent to making Eurocurrency Loans in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency hereunder for purposes of any Borrowings of Eurocurrency Rate Revolving Loans; and if the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank consent to the issuance of Letters of Credit in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency hereunder for purposes of any Letter of Credit issuances. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to obtain consent to any request for an additional currency under this Section 1.07, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Borrower.

SECTION 1.08 Change of Currency .

(a) Each obligation of the Borrower to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the date hereof shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption (in accordance with the EMU Legislation). If, in relation to the currency of any such member

 

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state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

(b) Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.

(c) Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may (after consultation with the Borrower) from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect a change in currency of any other country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in currency.

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01 Commitments .

(a) Tranche A Term Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Tranche A Lender severally agrees to make to the Borrower a single loan denominated in Dollars equal to such Tranche A Lender’s Tranche A Commitment on the Closing Date. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Tranche A Term Loans may be ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans, as further provided herein.

(b) Tranche X Term Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Tranche X Lender severally agrees to make to the Borrower a single loan denominated in Dollars equal to such Tranche X Lender’s Tranche X Commitment on the Closing Date. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01(b) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Tranche X Term Loans may be ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans, as further provided herein.

(c) Revolving Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Loans denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency to the Borrower as elected by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.02 from time to time, on any Business Day during the Revolving Availability Period, in an aggregate Outstanding Amount that will not result in such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies shall not exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit. Within the limits of each Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and subject to

 

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the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01(c), prepay under Section 2.09, and reborrow under this Section 2.01(c). Revolving Loans denominated in Dollars may be ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans, as further provided herein, and Revolving Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies must be Eurocurrency Loans, as further provided herein.

SECTION 2.02 Funding of Loans . Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. 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. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan, provided that 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.

SECTION 2.03 Requests for Borrowings .

(a) Each Borrowing (other than Borrowings of Swingline Loans with respect to which this Section 2.03 shall not apply), each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurocurrency Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, (i) three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans denominated in Dollars or any conversion of ABR Loans to Eurocurrency Loans, (ii) four (4) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, and (iii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of ABR Loans. Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.03(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans shall be in an amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Borrowing Request (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing of Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche X Term Loans or Revolving Loans, a conversion of Term Loans or Revolving Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the currency in which the Loans to be borrowed are to be denominated, (v) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Term Loans or Revolving Loans are to be converted, and (vi) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Borrowing Request or fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Term Loans or Revolving Loans shall

 

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be made as, or converted to, ABR Loans (unless the Loan being made or continued is denominated in an Alternative Currency, in which case it shall be made or continued as a Eurocurrency Loan with an Interest Period of one month). Any such automatic conversion to ABR Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurocurrency Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans in any such Borrowing Request, but fails to specify an Interest Period (or fails to give a timely notice requesting a continuation of Eurocurrency Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency), it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one (1) month. If no currency is specified in a Borrowing Request, the requested Borrowing shall be in Dollars.

(b) Following receipt of a Borrowing Request, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each applicable Lender of the amount (and currency) of its pro rata share of the applicable Class of Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each applicable Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to ABR Loans or continuation of Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency described in Section 2.03(a). In the case of each Borrowing, each applicable Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollars or the applicable Alternative Currency, as the case may be, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day specified in the applicable Borrowing Request. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Article IV, the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Administrative Agent with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided that if, on the date a Borrowing Request with respect to a Borrowing of Revolving Loans is given by the Borrower, there are LC Borrowings or Swingline Loans outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing shall be applied, first, to the payment in full of any such LC Borrowings, second, to the prepayment in full of any such Swingline Loans and third, to the Borrower as provided above.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurocurrency Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Loan. During the existence of an Event of Default, the Required Lenders may require that no Loans may be converted to or continued as Eurocurrency Loans.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurocurrency Loans upon determination of such interest rate. The determination of the Eurocurrency Rate by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. At any time that ABR Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the applicable Lenders of any change in the Administrative Agent’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

(e) After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

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(f) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s portion of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (b) above, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If the Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available, then, to the extent that such Lender shall not have made such portion available to the Administrative Agent, each of such Lender and the Borrower severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the Overnight Rate plus any administrative, processing, or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the foregoing. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.03(f) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to Borrower any amounts previously paid by Borrower in respect of such Borrowing under this Section 2.03. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 2.04 Swingline Loans .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender may, in its sole discretion, make Swingline Loans to the Borrower in Dollars from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Swingline Loans exceeding $10,000,000 or (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments, provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. All Swingline Loans shall be ABR Loans. 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 and the Swingline Lender. Each such notice must be received by the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $500,000 (and any amount

 

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in excess of $500,000 shall be an integral multiple of $100,000), and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Swingline Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the Swingline Lender of any telephonic Swingline Loan Notice, the Swingline Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swingline Loan Notice and, if not, the Swingline Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swingline Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or any Lender prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swingline Borrowing (A) directing the Swingline Lender not to make such Swingline Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swingline Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swingline Loan available to the Borrower.

(c) (i) The Swingline Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swingline Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Revolving Lender make an ABR Revolving Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Borrowing Request for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02 without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of ABR Revolving Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. The Swingline Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Borrowing Request promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Borrowing Request available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds for the account of the Swingline Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments not later that 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Borrowing Request, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made an ABR Revolving Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swingline Lender and such funds shall be applied to repay the applicable Swingline Loan.

(ii) If for any reason any Swingline Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Borrowing of Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for ABR Revolving Loans submitted by the Swingline Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swingline Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swingline Loan and each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

(iii) If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender

 

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pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swingline Lender at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swingline Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s ABR Revolving Loan included in the relevant Borrowing of Revolving Loans or funded participation in the relevant Swingline Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swingline Lender submitted to any Revolving Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error. If any Revolving Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower shall within one Business Day following request by the Swingline Lender repay all then outstanding Swingline Loans.

(iv) Each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make ABR Revolving Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided , however , that each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make ABR Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swingline Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

(d) (i) At any time after any Revolving Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swingline Loan, if the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account of such Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Revolving Lender its Applicable Percentage therein in the same funds as those received by the Swingline Lender.

(ii) If any payment received by the Swingline Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swingline Loan is required to be returned by the Swingline Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 9.03 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swingline Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Swingline Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swingline Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e) The Swingline Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swingline Loans. Until each Revolving Lender funds its ABR Revolving Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swingline Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swingline Lender.

 

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(f) The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swingline Loans directly to the Swingline Lender.

(g) To the extent not previously refinanced under Section 2.04(c), Borrower shall repay each Swingline Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is ten Business Days after such Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.

SECTION 2.05 Letters of Credit .

(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment .

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the Issuing Bank agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.05, (x) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the fifth Business Day prior to the Maturity Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower ( provided that any Letter of Credit may be for the benefit of any Subsidiary of the Borrower) and to amend or renew Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with this Section 2.05, and (y) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit and (B) the Revolving Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued pursuant to this Section 2.05; provided that the Issuing Bank shall not be obligated to make LC Credit Extensions with respect to Letters of Credit, and Revolving Lenders shall not be obligated to participate in Letters of Credit if, after giving effect to such LC Credit Extension, (x) the Revolving Exposures would exceed the Revolving Commitments, or (y) the Outstanding Amount of the LC Exposure would exceed $10,000,000. Each request by the Borrower for an LC Credit Extension shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the LC Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.

(ii) The Issuing Bank shall not issue any Letter of Credit if:

(1) subject to Section 2.05(a)(viii), the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last renewal, unless otherwise agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent; or

(2) the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the applicable fifth Business Day prior to the Maturity Date, unless each Revolving Lender shall have approved such expiry date.

 

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(iii) The Issuing Bank shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law applicable to the Issuing Bank or any directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or direct that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the date of this Agreement, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the date of this Agreement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder);

(B) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally;

(C) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars or an Alternative Currency; or

(D) any Revolving Lender is then a Defaulting Lender unless the Borrower has Cash Collateralized such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Letter of Credit.

(iv) The Issuing Bank shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the Issuing Bank would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

(v) The Issuing Bank shall act on behalf of the Revolving Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the Issuing Bank shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article VIII with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Issuing Bank in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article VIII included the Issuing Bank with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the Issuing Bank.

(vi) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon at least two (2) Business

 

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Days prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be; or, in each case, such later date and time as the Issuing Bank may agree in a particular instance in its sole discretion. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank: (a) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (b) the amount thereof; (c) the expiry date thereof; (d) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (e) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (f) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (g) the currency in which the request Letter of Credit will be denominated; and (h) such other information as shall be necessary to prepare such Letter of Credit. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank (1) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (2) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (3) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (4) such other information as shall be necessary to amend such Letter of Credit.

(vii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the Issuing Bank will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the Issuing Bank will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the Issuing Bank has received written notice from the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Bank shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, acquire from the Issuing Bank a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

(viii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic renewal provisions (each, an “ Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit must permit the Issuing Bank to prevent any such renewal at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “ Nonrenewal Notice Date ”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the Issuing Bank, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Issuing Bank for any such renewal. Once an Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Issuing Bank to permit the renewal of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the fifth Business Day prior to the Maturity Date; provided that the Issuing Bank shall not permit any such renewal if (A) the Issuing Bank has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its renewed form

 

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under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.05(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is five (5) Business Days before the Nonrenewal Notice Date from the Administrative Agent or the Required lenders, as applicable, or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied.

(ix) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Bank will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

(x) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall notify promptly the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. In the case of an LC Disbursement with respect to any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank in such Alternative Currency, unless (A) the Issuing Bank (at its option) shall have specified in such notice that it will require reimbursement in Dollars, or (B) in the absence of any such requirement for reimbursement in Dollars, the Borrower shall have notified the Issuing Bank promptly following receipt of the notice of drawing that the Borrower will reimburse the Issuing Bank in Dollars. In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of an LC Disbursement under a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower of the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the LC Disbursement promptly following the determination thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the first Business Day following the date on which the Borrower receives notice of any LC Disbursement (each such date, an “ Honor Date ”), the Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank in an amount equal to the amount of such LC Disbursement and in the applicable currency. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the Issuing Bank by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed LC Disbursement (expressed in Dollars based on the Dollar Equivalent amount thereof in the case of an Alternative Currency), and the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested an ABR Revolving Loan to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Outstanding Amount of such LC Disbursement, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.03 for the principal amount of ABR Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Commitments, and subject to the applicable conditions set forth in Article IV (other than the delivery of a Borrowing Request). Any notice given by the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.05(a)(x) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

(xi) Each Revolving Lender (including any such Lender acting as the Issuing Bank) shall upon receipt of any notice made pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(x) make funds available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank at the Administrative Agent’s Office for payments in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of any LC Disbursement that has not been reimbursed by the Borrower at or prior to 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section

 

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2.05(a)(xii), each Revolving Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made an ABR Revolving Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Issuing Bank and such funds shall be applied to repay the applicable LC Disbursement.

(xii) With respect to any LC Disbursement that is not fully reimbursed by the Borrower and has not been refinanced by an ABR Revolving Loan because the applicable conditions set forth in Article IV cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the Issuing Bank an LC Borrowing in the Outstanding Amount of the LC Disbursement that is not so reimbursed or refinanced, which LC Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the rate specified in Section 2.11(c). In such event, each Revolving Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(xi) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such LC Borrowing and shall constitute an LC Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.05.

(xiii) Until each Revolving Lender funds its Revolving Loan or LC Advance pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the Issuing Bank.

(xiv) Each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or LC Advances to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements that are not reimbursed by the Borrower as set forth herein, as contemplated by this Section 2.05(a), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Issuing Bank, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default; or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided that each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) is subject to the applicable conditions set forth in Article IV (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Borrowing Request). No such making of an LC Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the amount of any payment made by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

(xv) If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.05(a) by the time specified in Section 2.05(a)(xi), the Issuing Bank shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Issuing Bank at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Issuing Bank in connection with the foregoing. A certificate of the Issuing Bank submitted to any Revolving Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.05(a)(xv) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(xvi) If any Revolving Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender following the issuance of any Letter of Credit, the Borrower will promptly deposit Cash Collateral with the Issuing Bank in an amount equal to such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each outstanding Letter of Credit which Cash Collateral shall be held by the Issuing Bank to secure such Defaulting Lender’s obligations to participate in such Letter of Credit (and, if any Cash Collateral remains following the return or expiration of such Letter of Credit, shall be returned to the Borrower promptly following such return or expiration).

(b) Repayment of Participations .

(i) If, at any time after the Issuing Bank has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolving Lender such Lender’s LC Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.05(a), the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the Issuing Bank any payment in respect of the related LC Disbursement or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Revolving Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s LC Advance was outstanding) in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(x) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 9.03 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Issuing Bank in its discretion), each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect. The Obligations of the Revolving Lenders under this clause (b)(ii) shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(c) The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank for each LC Disbursement and to repay each LC Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

(A) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;

(B) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing Bank or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

 

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(C) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

(D) any payment by the Issuing Bank under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the Issuing Bank under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding;

(E) any adverse change in the relevant exchange rates or in the availability of the relevant Alternative Currency to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or in the relevant currency markets generally; or

(F) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower;

provided that the foregoing shall not excuse the 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 waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by any Requirement of Law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof, or acts or omissions by the Issuing Bank constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank.

(d) Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuing Bank, nor any of their 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 the Issuing Bank, provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential or punitive 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 the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining

 

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whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. 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, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, 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.

(e) If (i) any Event of Default occurs and is continuing and the Required Lenders require the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the LC Exposure or (ii) an Event of Default pursuant to clause (h) or (i) of Article VII occurs and is continuing, then the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the LC Exposure (in an amount equal to the Outstanding Amount thereof determined as of the date of such Event of Default), and shall do so not later than 2:00 p.m. New York City time on (x) in the case of the immediately preceding clause (i), (1) the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice thereof, if such notice is received on such day prior to 12:00 Noon New York City time or (2) if clause (1) above does not apply, the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice and (y) in the case of the immediately preceding clause (ii), the Business Day on which an Event of Default set forth under clause (h) or (i) occurs or, if such day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately succeeding such day. For purposes hereof, “ Cash Collateralize ” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders, as collateral for the LC Exposure, cash or deposit account balances (“ Cash Collateral ”) pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank (which documents are hereby consented to by the Revolving Lenders). Derivatives of such term have corresponding meanings. The Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders, a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing. Cash Collateral shall be maintained in blocked accounts at the Administrative Agent and may be invested in readily available Permitted Investments selected by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are on deposit as Cash Collateral, such funds shall be applied, to the extent permitted under applicable Requirements of Law, to reimburse the Issuing Bank. To the extent the amount of any Cash Collateral exceeds the then Outstanding Amount of such LC Exposure and so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the excess shall be refunded to the Borrower within three days of date that such excess accrues together with all interest, if any, that has accrued on such amount. If such Event of Default is cured or waived and no other Event of Default is then occurring and continuing, the amount of any Cash Collateral shall be refunded to the Borrower within three days of the occurrence of such cure or waiver together with all interest, if any, that has accrued on such amount.

 

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(f) Applicability of ISP . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the relevant Issuing Bank and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit.

(g) Conflict with Letter of Credit Application . Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in any Letter of Credit Application, in the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Letter of Credit Application, the terms hereof shall control.

(h) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

SECTION 2.06 Termination and Reduction of Commitments .

(a) Unless previously terminated, (i) the Tranche A Commitments shall terminate at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Closing Date, (ii) the Tranche X Commitments shall terminate at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Closing Date and (iii) the Revolving Commitments and the Swingline Commitment shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, 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 entire remaining amount and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.09, the aggregate Revolving Exposures (excluding, in the case of any termination of the Revolving Commitments, the portion of the Revolving Exposures attributable to outstanding Letters of Credit if and to the extent that the Borrower has made arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit and the Issuing Bank has released the Revolving Lenders from their participation obligations with respect to such Letters of Credit) would exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.

(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section 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 such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable, provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments of any Class delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of proceeds from the issuance of other Indebtedness, 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

 

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or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

SECTION 2.07 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 in the currency in which such Revolving Loan is denominated, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan of such Lender as provided in Section 2.08 and (iii) to the Swingline Lender in Dollars the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the Maturity Date.

(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 currency, Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period, if any, 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.

(d) Absent manifest error, the entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section 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) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. 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 in such form 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 2.08 Amortization of Term Loans .

(a) The Borrower shall repay Tranche X Term Loans on each of the dates set forth below, in an amount, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate original principal amount of all Tranche X Term Loans made on or prior to such date and prior to the applicable payment date, set forth opposite each of the dates below:

 

Date

   Amount  

September 30, 2010

   10

December 31, 2010

   10

March 31, 2011

   10

June 30, 2011

   10

September 30, 2011

   10

December 31, 2011

   10

March 31, 2012

   10

June 30, 2012

   10

September 30, 2012

   10

December 31, 2012

   10

(b) (i) To the extent not previously paid, all Tranche X Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date.

(ii) To the extent not previously paid, all Tranche A Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date.

(c) Any prepayment of a Tranche X Term Loan shall be applied, in the case of prepayments made pursuant to (i) Section 2.09(a), at the direction of the Borrower and (ii) Section 2.09(c), ratably to the remaining amortization payments set forth in paragraph (a) above.

(d) Prior to any repayment of any Term Loans of any Class hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings of the applicable Class of Loans to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such election not later than 12:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the scheduled date of such repayment. Each repayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the repaid Borrowing. Repayments of Term Borrowings shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount repaid.

 

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SECTION 2.09 Prepayment 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, subject to the requirements of this Section.

(b) In the event and on such occasion that the aggregate Revolving Exposures exceed 105% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05(e)) in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the Revolving Exposures exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.

(c) In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Borrower shall, within three Business Days after such Net Proceeds are received, prepay Term Loans in accordance with subsection (d) below, in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of the amount (i) of such Net Proceeds and (ii) of Term Loans required to be prepaid in order to reduce the Borrower’s Leverage Ratio to 2.50 to 1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Prepayment Event and the prepayment of Term Loans; provided that if the Borrower and the Subsidiaries apply the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof) within 270 days after receipt of such Net Proceeds and at a time when no Default has occurred and is continuing, to acquire real property, equipment or other tangible assets to be used in the business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries ( provided that the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent within three Business Days after such Net Proceeds are received a certificate of a Financial Officer stating its intention to do so and certifying that no Default has occurred and is continuing), then no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of the Net Proceeds in respect of such event (or the portion of such Net Proceeds specified in such certificate, if applicable) except to the extent of any such Net Proceeds therefrom that have not been so applied or contractually committed by the end of such 270-day period (and, if so contractually committed in writing but not applied prior to the end of such 270-day period, applied within 90 days of such commitment) or cease to be contractually committed after such 270-day period, at which time a prepayment shall be required in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds that have not been so applied.

(d) Prior to any optional prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section. Each prepayment of Loans pursuant to Section 2.09(c) shall be applied, first, to the principal repayment of the Tranche A Term Loans and, second, to the Tranche X Term Loans ratably to reduce scheduled prepayments required pursuant to Section 2.08(a).

(e) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or otherwise in writing) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency

 

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Borrowing denominated in Dollars, not later than 12:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in an Alternative Currency, not later than 12:00 p.m., New York City time, four Business Days before the date of prepayment, (iii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iv) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment, provided that a notice of optional prepayment may state that such notice is conditional upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the receipt of the proceeds from the issuance of other Indebtedness, in which case such notice of prepayment may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to 12:00 noon New York City time, on the specified date) if such condition is not satisfied. 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 2.03(a), except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment. Each prepayment of a 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 2.11, except in the case of partial prepayment of ABR Loans, which interest shall be payable on the next scheduled interest payment date.

SECTION 2.10 Fees .

(a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a facility fee in Dollars, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the actual daily amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate (and following the termination of the Revolving Commitments, such fee shall be payable on the Revolving Exposure of each Revolving Lender until such Revolving Exposure is reduced to zero); provided that no such fee shall accrue on the Revolving Commitment of any Defaulting Lender during any period that it is a Defaulting Lender. Accrued facility fees shall be payable in arrears on the third Business Day following the last day of March, June, September and December of each year (accruing through the last day of each month) and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date. All facility 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).

(b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage a utilization fee of (i) 0.25% per annum times the Revolving Exposure of such Lender on each day that the Revolving Exposure of such Lender exceeds 33% of the Revolving Commitments of such Lender then in effect (or, if terminated, in effect immediately prior to such termination) or (ii) 0.50% per annum times the Revolving Exposure of such Lender on each day that the Revolving Exposure of such

 

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Lender exceeds 66% of the Revolving Commitments of such Lender then in effect (or, if terminated, in effect immediately prior to such termination); provided that no such fee shall accrue on the Revolving Commitment of any Defaulting Lender or any portion of its pro rata share of any LC Advance that is Cash Collateralized during any period that it is a Defaulting Lender; provided , further, that until Cash Collateralized or re-allocated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, in lieu of payment of the pro rata share of such fee attributable to the LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender, the Borrower shall pay such amount to the Issuing Bank. The utilization fee shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date. The utilization fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears. The utilization fee shall accrue at all times, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met.

(c) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee in Dollars with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans on the actual daily Outstanding Amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements or LC Borrowings) during the period from and including the Closing 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; provided that no such fee shall accrue on the LC Exposure of a Defaulting Lender during any period that it is a Defaulting Lender, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee in Dollars, which shall accrue at a rate equal to 0.25% per annum on the actual daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements or LC Borrowings) during the period from and including the Closing 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 the 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 pursuant to this Section 2.10(c) 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 Closing Date, provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph 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).

(d) The Borrower agrees to pay on the Closing Date to each Lender party to this Agreement on the Closing Date, as fee compensation for the funding of such Lender’s Term Loan and making of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, a closing fee (the “ Closing Fee ”) in amounts set forth in the Fee Letter on the Closing Date. Such Closing Fee will be in all respects fully earned, due and payable on the Closing Date and non-refundable and non-creditable thereafter and, in the case of the Term Loans, such Closing Fee shall be netted against Term Loans made by such Lender.

 

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(e) On each of May 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Tranche X Lender, a duration fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of such Lender’s outstanding principal amount of Tranche X Term Loans on each such date, and in the case of the fee paid on September 30, 2010, such outstanding principal amount shall be calculated prior to the scheduled prepayment to be paid on such date pursuant to Section 2.08(a).

(f) 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 between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(g) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds in the currency specified herein (or, if no currency is specified, 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, absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.11 Interest .

(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Base Rate for Borrowings of such Class plus the Applicable Rate. In addition, if at any time any Term Loans are maintained as ABR Term Loans, the Borrower agrees that within 10 Business Days after receiving any request from any Non-ABR Lender (but not more frequently than quarterly for any Lender), the Borrower will pay such Non-ABR Lender the ABR Gross-Up Amount with respect to the ABR Term Loans of such Non-ABR Lender.

(b) The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the applicable Eurocurrency Rate for Borrowings of such Class for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate plus (in the case of a Eurocurrency Loan of any Lender which is lent from a lending office in the United Kingdom or a Participating Member State), Mandatory Costs.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower hereunder (including any LC Disbursement or LC Borrowing) is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to 2.00% plus the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section,

(ii) if any principal of any Loan 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, at a rate per annum equal to 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section, and

 

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(iii) upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a rate per annum equal to 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments, provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan or a Swingline Loan prior to the end of the Revolving Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency 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 computations of interest for ABR Loans shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year), or, in the case of interest in respect of Revolving Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies as to which market practice differs from the foregoing, in accordance with such market practice. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.12 Alternate Rate of Interest .

(a) If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurocurrency Rate for any currency for such Interest Period; or

(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Eurocurrency Rate for any currency for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (1) any request pursuant to Section 2.03(a) that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to,

 

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or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing in the affected currency shall be ineffective and (2) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing shall be (I) for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein, in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars, or (II) for a Borrowing of a Loan bearing interest at the Cost of Funds Rate plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, in the case of any other Loan.

(b) Without limitation of the provisions of Section 2.12(a), if, with respect to any Borrowing, conversion or continuation for which the Eurocurrency Rate is to be determined by reference to the Quoted Rates supplied to the Administrative Agent by the Reference Banks in accordance with Section 2.19, (i) fewer than two Reference Banks supply the Administrative Agent with a Quoted Rate then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders in writing as promptly as practicable thereafter, and the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing, conversion or continuation shall be (i) for a Borrowing of (or conversion to) Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein, in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars, or (ii) for a Borrowing of (or conversion to) a Loan bearing interest at the Cost of Funds Rate plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, in the case of any other Loan.

(c) If any event described in the first sentence of Section 2.12(a) or in Section 2.12(b) occurs and results in the application of the Cost of Funds Rate, then at the request of the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall enter into good faith negotiations for a period of no more than 30 days for the purpose of agreeing to a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest to be applied to the applicable Borrowing (and, to the extent required, any future Borrowings). Any substitute basis agreed upon shall be, with the consent of all Lenders with respect to the applicable Facility, binding on all of the parties to this Agreement.

SECTION 2.13 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 (except (A) any such reserve requirement contemplated by Section 2.13(e) and (B) the requirements of the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority or the European Central Bank reflected in the Mandatory Cost, other than as set forth below);

(ii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

(iii) subject any Lender or the Issuing Bank to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, or any Loan made by it or any Letter of Credit or participation

 

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therein, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or Issuing Bank in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes indemnified by Section 2.15, and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Taxes); or

(iv) result in the failure of the Mandatory Cost, as calculated hereunder, to represent the cost to any Lender of complying with the requirements of the Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority or the European Central Bank in relation to its making, funding or maintaining Eurocurrency Rate Loans;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or, in the case of clause (iii), any Loan), or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender or the 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 the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the 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 the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.13 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the 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 the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor;

 

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provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(e) The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “ Eurocurrency liabilities ”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurocurrency Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date or which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest or costs shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.

SECTION 2.14 Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency 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 Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Revolving Loan or Term Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.09(e) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency 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 2.17 or Section 9.02(b), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount 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 Eurocurrency Rate 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 the commencement of such period, for deposits in the applicable currency of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the Eurocurrency market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

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SECTION 2.15 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 for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if any applicable withholding agent shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after making all such required deductions (including such deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.15) 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 been made, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions, and (iii) the applicable withholding agent shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes payable by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.15) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The written demand shall be made in a certificate setting forth the amount of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes and, in reasonable detail, the calculation and basis for such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes.

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other 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, if available, 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) (i) Each Lender that is a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement two duly completed and signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from federal backup withholding.

(ii) Each Lender that is a Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement whichever of the following is applicable:

(A) two duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,

 

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(B) two duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,

(C) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D (any such certificate a “ United States Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (B) two duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or

(D) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Foreign Lender is a partnership, or is a Participant holding a participation granted by a participating Lender), Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, United States Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9 or any other required information from each beneficial owner, as applicable.

(iii) Without limitation of its obligations under paragraphs (i) or (ii), each Lender shall, at such time as reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with any other documentation prescribed by applicable law, properly completed and executed, as will permit payments made to such Lender under the Loan Documents to be made without or at a reduced rate of withholding tax.

(iv) Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any previously delivered form or certification (or any applicable successor form) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate and promptly after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it is unable to do so. Each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered form or certification to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

(v) Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (e), a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form that such Lender is not legally able to deliver.

(vi) The Administrative Agent in its capacity as such shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, from time to time deliver to the Borrower a properly executed copy of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY or W-9, as applicable.

(f) If the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or a Lender determines, in its reasonable discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other 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 2.15, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the

 

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Borrower under this Section with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender, 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, the Issuing Bank or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

SECTION 2.16 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs .

(a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it under any Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Borrowings or LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.13, 2.14 or 2.15, 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 3:00 p.m., New York City time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff 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 the Administrative Agent’s Office, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to 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 otherwise expressly provided herein and except with respect to principal of and interest on Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in Same Day Funds. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder with respect to principal and interest on Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office in such Alternative Currency and in Same Day Funds. If, for any reason, the Borrower is prohibited by any Requirement of Law from making any required payment hereunder in an Alternative Currency, the Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the Alternative Currency payment amount. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its pro rata (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s lending office.

 

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(b) Subject to Section 2.16(e), if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Borrowings and LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Borrowings and LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Borrowings and LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(c) Subject to Section 2.16(e), if any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans, LC Advances or participations in Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans, LC Advances and participations in 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 Revolving Loans, Term 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 Revolving Loans, Term 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 paragraph 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 other Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph 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 setoff 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.

(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 the 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 and in its sole discretion, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, 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 Bank, 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 Overnight Rate.

 

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(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(c), 2.03(b) or (g), 2.16(d) or 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 2.17 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, 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 2.15, 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 judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.15, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not be inconsistent with its internal policies or 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 2.13, 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 2.15, 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 (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, LC Advances and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee or the Borrower, (iii) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b) and (iv) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, 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, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise (including as a result of any action taken by such Lender under paragraph (a) above), the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Additionally, at any time that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may elect to terminate the Commitment of such

 

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Lender so long as any resulting change in the Revolving Exposures as a result of such termination would not cause the Revolving Exposure of any Revolving Lender to exceed the Revolving Commitment of such Revolving Lender except in the case of any Revolving Loans of such Defaulting Lender that are then outstanding (in which case, the Borrower may only terminate the unused portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided that upon any prepayment of Revolving Loans by the Borrower following any such termination, the outstanding Revolving Loans of such Defaulting Lender shall be prepaid as if its Revolving Commitment was as in effect at the time such Defaulting Lender became a Defaulting Lender).

SECTION 2.18 Incremental Revolving Commitments .

(a) At any time and from time to time prior to the Maturity Date, 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), request to increase the existing Revolving Commitments (“ Incremental Revolving Commitments ”); provided that at the time of each such request and upon the effectiveness of each Incremental Facility Amendment, (A) no Default has occurred and is continuing or shall result therefrom, (B) the Borrower shall be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants contained in Sections 6.08 and 6.09 recomputed as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been or were required to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 5.01, and (C) the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect set forth in clauses (A) and (B) above, together with all calculations relevant thereto, including reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with clause (B) above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the aggregate principal amount of the Incremental Revolving Commitments shall not exceed $250,000,000. Each exercise of the Borrower’s right to seek Incremental Revolving Commitments shall be in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $25,000,000.

(b) Each notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Incremental Revolving Commitments. Any additional bank, financial institution, existing Lender or other Person that elects to extend Incremental Revolving Commitments (any such bank, financial institution, existing Lender or other Person being called an “ Additional Lender ”) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and, if not already a Lender, shall become a Lender under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (an “ Incremental Facility Amendment ”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower, such Additional Lender and the Administrative Agent. No Lender shall be obligated to provide any Incremental Revolving Commitment unless, in its sole discretion, it so agrees. An Incremental Facility 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 (including to provide for voting provisions applicable to the Additional Lenders comparable to the provisions of clause (B) of the second proviso of Section 9.02(b)). The effectiveness of any Incremental Facility Amendment shall, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the Additional Lenders, be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof (each, an “ Incremental Facility Closing Date ”) of each of the conditions set

 

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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 Facility Closing Date). The Administrative Agent shall receive not less than 10 Business Days’ advance notice (or shorter, if agreed by the Administrative Agent) prior to any proposed Incremental Facility Closing Date.

SECTION 2.19 Determination of Eurocurrency Rate . If with respect to any determination of the Eurocurrency Rate the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that BBA LIBOR will not be available on a Quotation Day using Reuters or another commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR, the Administrative Agent shall promptly request that each Reference Bank supply it with its Quoted Rate, and the Eurocurrency Rate to be used to determine the interest rate applicable to the relevant Borrowing, conversion or continuation shall be the average of the Quoted Rates supplied to the Administrative Agent by the Reference Banks. If the Administrative Agent makes such request and one or more Reference Banks fails to supply its Quoted Rate to the Administrative Agent by 11:30 a.m., London time, on a Quotation Day, the applicable Eurocurrency Rate shall (subject to Section 2.12(b)) be determined on the basis of the Quoted Rates supplied by the remaining Reference Banks.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers . Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries) (a) is duly organized, validly existing and (where such concept exists) in good standing (or its equivalent, if any) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted except where the failure to have the same could not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party, except where the failure to have the same could not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (d) is qualified to do business in, and (where such concept exists) is in good standing (or its equivalent, if any) in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required except where the failure to be so qualified or to be (where such concept exists) in good standing (or its equivalent, if any) could not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability .

(a) The Transactions to be entered into and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Borrower are within the Borrower’s corporate powers and have been or will by the time required be duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action.

 

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(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which the Borrower is to be a party, when executed and delivered by the Borrower, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts . The Transactions and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Borrower (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been, or will be by the time required, obtained or made and are, or will be by the time required, in full force and effect, (b) will not violate the Organizational Documents of the Borrower, (c) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to the Borrower, (d) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any Subsidiary or their respective assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation thereunder, and (e) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, except Liens permitted by Section 6.02, except, in the case of clauses (c) and (d), for any such violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change .

(a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders or publicly filed (i) its consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 and consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, in each case reported on by Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants for the Borrower, and (ii) its consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2009 and consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the portion of the fiscal year ended September 2009 (and comparable periods for the prior fiscal year), certified by its chief financial officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject in the case of clause (ii) to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

(b) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2009, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on such date, and its pro forma consolidated statement of income for the twelve-month period ended as of such date, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on the first day of such twelve-month period. Such pro forma projected consolidated financial statements (i) have been prepared in good faith based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable at the time such projections were prepared and (ii) were based on the best information then available to the Borrower after due inquiry.

 

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(c) Except as disclosed in the financial statements referred to above or the notes thereto and except for the Disclosed Matters, after giving effect to the Transactions, none of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries has, as of the Closing Date, any material direct or contingent liabilities or long-term commitments.

(d) No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2008.

SECTION 3.05 Properties .

(a) Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business (including the Mortgaged Properties), except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes.

(b) Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters .

(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii) that involve any of the Loan Documents.

(b) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, or (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to 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 a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements . Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is in compliance with (a) its Organizational Documents, (b) all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property and (c) all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) of this Section, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.08 Investment Company Status . None of 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 . Except for failures that would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has (i) timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed; (ii) paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, other than any Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if such contest shall have the effect of suspending the collection (or the enforcement of any Liens) for such Taxes and adequate reserves for such Taxes have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP; and (iii) complied with all Tax withholding obligations.

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, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan have been satisfied. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under all underfunded Plans (determined for each Plan based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) 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, if required to be paid by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.11 Disclosure . To the best of Borrower’s knowledge, none of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information, if any, furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or delivered thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished and taken together as a whole) contains 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 misleading, provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared based upon good faith assumptions believed by it to be reasonable at the time delivered (it being understood that such forecasts and projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Borrower’s control, that no assurance can be given that forecasts or projections will be realized, and that actual results may differ from projections and such difference may be material).

 

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SECTION 3.12 Subsidiaries . Schedule 3.12 sets forth the name of, and the ownership interest of the Borrower and each Subsidiary in, each Subsidiary as of the Closing Date.

SECTION 3.13 Insurance . The Borrower believes that the insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks as is (i) customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (ii) adequate.

SECTION 3.14 Labor Matters . As of the Closing Date, there are no strikes or lockouts or any other material labor disputes against the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened. Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters, and (b) all payments due from 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 the Borrower or such Subsidiary. There is no organizing activity involving the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, threatened by any labor union or group of employees, except those that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no representation proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, threatened with the National Mediation Board, and no labor organization or group of employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary has made a pending demand for recognition, except those that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no material complaints or charges against the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, threatened to be filed with any Governmental Authority or arbitrator based on, arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise relating to the employment or termination of employment by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any individual, except those that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The consummation of the Transactions 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 the Borrower or any Subsidiary is bound.

SECTION 3.15 Solvency . Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date, (a) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis), at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become matured, (c) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become matured, and (d) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct their business.

 

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SECTION 3.16 Federal Reserve Regulations .

(a) The Borrower is not engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying Margin Stock.

(b) Taking into account all of the Transactions, no part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation T, U or X.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01 Conditions to the Closing Date . The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to make LC Credit Extensions hereunder shall become effective on the first date when each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received the following, each of which shall be originals, telecopies or electronic copies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, each dated a date on or prior to the Closing Date and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers:

(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement from the Borrower;

(ii) a promissory note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting three Business Days in advance a promissory note evidencing the Loan provided by such Lender;

(iii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of the Borrower as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party or is to be a party;

(iv) a certificate of good standing for the Borrower from its jurisdiction of organization;

(v) a certificate signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower certifying (A) as to the solvency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) after giving effect to the Transaction and the incurrence of all Indebtedness related thereto, (B) as to the Debt Rating then in effect and (C) that the conditions specified in Section 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied;

 

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(vi) a favorable opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to the Borrower, and the general counsel of the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form set forth on Exhibit C and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

(vii) evidence that the Existing Credit Agreement has been, or concurrently with the Closing Date is being, terminated and all Liens securing obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement have been, or concurrently with the Closing Date are being released (the “ Refinancing ”).

(b) The Borrower shall have received not less than $1,000.0 million in gross cash proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes.

(c) All accrued fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers (including the fees and expenses of counsels for the Administrative Agent, the U.S. Lead Arrangers and the Nordic Lead Arrangers and local and special counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers) shall have been paid. The Borrower shall have paid all items then due and payable under the Fee Letter.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Request in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.03 hereof.

SECTION 4.02 Each Credit Event . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank to make any LC Credit Extension, 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 the Borrower set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than, in the case of any Borrowing made following the Closing Date, the representation and warranty made in Section 3.04(d)) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be (except to the extent that any representation and warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall have been true and correct in all material respects 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 the case may be, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

Each Borrowing ( provided that a conversion or a continuation of a Borrowing shall not constitute a “Borrowing” for purposes of this Section) and each LC Credit Extension shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

 

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ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Beginning on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Loans made on the Closing Date and continuing thereafter until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired, been terminated or been cash collateralized on terms reasonably acceptable to the Issuing Bank and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information . The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent on behalf of each Lender:

(a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its audited consolidated balance sheet and audited consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, and related notes thereto, 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 or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of 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 the Borrower, its unaudited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited consolidated statements of income, 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 a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of 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 paragraph (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer (i) stating that, except as set forth in such certificate, such Financial Officer has no knowledge of any Default having 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 (including

 

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the amounts representing each clause set forth in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”) demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 6.08 and 6.09 and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the Borrower’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;

(d) within 45 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, a detailed consolidated budget for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of projected income and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year and setting forth the assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget) and, promptly when available, any significant revisions of such budget;

(e) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic reports, proxy statements and other material filings (as reasonably determined by the Borrower) filed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the SEC or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to the holders of its Equity Interests generally; and

(f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Arrangers may reasonably request.

Information required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (e) shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which the Borrower provides notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that such information has been posted on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at http://ir.nasdaqomx.com/sec.cfm, at www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/ webusers.htm or at another website identified in such notice and accessible by the Lenders without charge, provided that (i) such notice may be included in a certificate delivered pursuant to clause (c) and (ii) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of the information required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (e) to any Lender that requests such delivery.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “ Platform ”) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders ( i.e ., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “ Public Lender ”). The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC,” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be

 

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deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws ( provided , however , that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.12); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor”; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”

SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events . The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to each Lender through the Administrative Agent) prompt 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, to the knowledge of a Financial Officer or another executive officer of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, affecting the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) within three Business Days after the Borrower becomes aware of the occurrence of any ERISA Event or any fact or circumstance that gives rise to a reasonable expectation that any ERISA Event will occur that, in either case, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in material liability of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries;

(d) within five Business Days after any change in the ratings of the credit facilities made available under this Agreement by S&P or Moody’s, or any notice from either such agency indicating its intent to effect such a change or to place the Borrower or such credit facilities on a “CreditWatch” or “WatchList” or any similar list, in each case with negative implications, or its cessation of, or its intent to cease, rating such credit facilities; and

(e) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower 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 Existence; Conduct of Business . The Borrower will, and will cause each Material Subsidiary to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect (a) its legal existence and (b) the rights, licenses, permits,

 

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privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business, except, in the case of clause (b), to the extent that failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

SECTION 5.04 Payment of Obligations . The Borrower will, and will cause each Material Subsidiary to, pay its obligations (other than Indebtedness and any obligations in respect of any Swap Agreements), including Tax liabilities that, if unpaid, could result in a Lien on any of its assets or properties, 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) such contests shall have the effect of suspending any collection or the enforcement of such obligations, (c) the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, and (d) any failures to make such payments pending such contests could not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.05 Maintenance of Properties . The Borrower will, and will cause each Material Subsidiary to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.06 Insurance . The Borrower will, and will cause each Material Subsidiary to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (b) all other insurance as may be required by law or any other Loan Document. The Borrower will furnish to the Lenders, upon request of the Administrative Agent, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.

SECTION 5.07 Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights . The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Subject to Section 9.12, the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (which shall be coordinated through the Administrative Agent), 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 as often as reasonably requested, provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not exercise such rights more often than two times during any calendar year.

SECTION 5.08 Compliance with Laws . The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, comply with all Requirements of Law with respect 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.

 

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SECTION 5.09 Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit . The proceeds of the Term Loans (together with Revolving Loans, if any, drawn on the Closing Date) will be used, directly or indirectly, to consummate the Refinancing and to pay Transaction Costs. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans drawn after the Closing Date will be used only for general corporate purposes (including Acquisitions and the payment of Transaction Costs). No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. Letters of Credit will be used only for general corporate purposes.

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Beginning on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Loans made on the Closing Date and continuing thereafter until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts payable (other than contingent amounts not yet due) under any Loan Document have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired, been terminated or been cash collateralized on terms reasonably acceptable to the Issuing Bank, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness of Subsidiaries .

The Borrower will not permit any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Funded Indebtedness other than:

(i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;

(ii) Guarantees by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any other Subsidiary, provided that the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is otherwise permitted by this Section 6.01;

(iii) other Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $250,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(iv) Indebtedness owed to any Person (including obligations in respect of letters of credit for the benefit of such Person) providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(v) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations (other than in respect of other Indebtedness for borrowed money), in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(vi) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary in respect of non-speculative Swap Agreements relating to the business or operations of such Subsidiary;

(vii) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or financial institution of a check or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, so long as such Indebtedness is repaid within five Business Days;

(viii) Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit, guarantees, counter-indemnities and short term facilities incurred by any Subsidiary engaged in Exchange and Clearing Operations in connection with the ordinary clearing, depository and settlement procedures (including, without limitation, any letter of credit or guarantees provided to any central securities depositories or external custodians) relating thereto; provided that any advances thereunder are repaid within 10 days following the date of such advance or any drawing under any letter of credit or guarantee;

(ix) any Indebtedness arising under arrangements in connection with the participation in or through any clearing system or investment, commodities or stock exchange where the Indebtedness arises under the rules, normal procedures, agreements or legislation governing trading on or through such system or exchange; provided that any advances thereunder are repaid within 10 days following the date of such advance or any drawing under any letter of credit or guarantee;

(x) any Indebtedness arising as a result of short-term sale and repurchase transactions entered into by a Subsidiary on market terms and in respect of marketable securities held for investment purposes where the applicable Subsidiary enters into back to back, foreign exchange, swap or derivative transaction in the ordinary course of business, provided that the amount of such Indebtedness doesn’t exceed the principal amount of the securities sold;

(xi) Indebtedness incurred in connection with the administration of the UK ESOP Program in the ordinary course of business and not outstanding longer than seven days;

(xii) Indebtedness of Regulated Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of any such Regulated Subsidiary incurred to satisfy such Regulated Subsidiary’s determination of any requirement imposed at any time or from time to time by any Governmental Authority in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that any such Indebtedness is not outstanding for longer than 45 days;

(xiii) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business.

 

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(xiv) Indebtedness of the OMX Group incurred on behalf of its customers in its market technology business consisting of purchase money Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations not to exceed $50,000,000 outstanding at any time in respect of back-to-back lease arrangements;

(xv) Indebtedness arising from agreements of any Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with any Acquisition or the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary not prohibited by this Agreement;

(xvi) Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit; and

(xvii) Indebtedness of any Person that is merged or consolidated with and into any Subsidiary or of any Person that otherwise becomes a Subsidiary after the Closing Date, provided that such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness so long as the principal amount of such extensions, renewals and replacements does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being extended, renewed or replaced (plus any accrued but unpaid interest and redemption premium payable by the terms of such Indebtedness thereon), provided that (i) the Borrower would be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants set forth in Section 6.08 and Section 6.09 as of the most recent test date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 5.01, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (xvii) shall not exceed $75,000,000 at any time outstanding and (iii) any such Indebtedness permitted by this clause (xvii) is not outstanding for longer than 180 days after such merger or consolidation.

SECTION 6.02 Liens . The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary 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 of any thereof, except:

(a) Permitted Encumbrances;

(b) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 6.02 , provided that (A) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (B) such Lien shall secure only those obligations that it secures on the date hereof and refinancings, extensions, renewals and replacements thereof so long as the principal amount of such refinancings, extensions, renewals and replacements does not exceed the principal amount of the obligations being refinanced, extended, renewed or replaced (plus any accrued but unpaid interest and premium or penalty payable by the terms of such obligations thereon and reasonable fees and expenses associated therewith);

 

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(c) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary, provided that (A) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (B) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than proceeds of such property or asset and (C) such Lien shall secure only those obligations that it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and refinancings, extensions, renewals and replacements thereof so long as the principal amount of such refinancings, extensions, renewals and replacements does not exceed the principal amount of the obligations being refinanced, extended, renewed or replaced (plus any accrued but unpaid interest and premium or penalty payable by the terms of such obligations thereon and reasonable fees and expenses associated therewith);

(d) Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved (including any such assets made the subject of a Capital Lease Obligation incurred) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that (A) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital asset and (B) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than proceeds of such property or assets;

(e) Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-208 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon;

(f) Liens representing any interest or title of a licensor, lessor or sublicensor or sublessor under any lease or license permitted by this Agreement;

(g) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section to the extent that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $100,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(h) Liens granted by a Subsidiary in favor of the Borrower or another Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations owed by such Subsidiary to the Borrower or such other Subsidiary;

(i) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(xiii);

(j) Liens granted by a Subsidiary to secure obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness and are incurred in connection with the exchange and clearing operations of such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(k) Liens solely on earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in respect of any Acquisition or other Investment permitted under Section 6.04; and

(l) Liens securing obligations in respect of non-speculative Swap Agreements relating to the business or operations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes and Lines of Business .

(a) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, 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 into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving corporation, (ii) any Subsidiary may merge into any Person in order to consummate an Investment or Asset Sale permitted by Section 6.04 or 6.05, (iii) any Subsidiary may merge into the Borrower or any other Subsidiary and (iv) 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.

(b) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and businesses reasonably incidental or related thereto or constituting reasonable extensions thereof.

SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions .

The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, purchase or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary 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, (each an “ Investment ”), except:

(i) Permitted Investments;

(ii) Investments existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 6.04 or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 6.04 ;

(iii) Investments by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

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(iv) Guarantees of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that are permitted by Section 6.01;

(v) loans or advances to employees, officers and directors of the Borrower or any Subsidiary made in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary not exceeding $5,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances), provided that no such loans or advances to any single employee, officer or director shall exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances);

(vi) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses of the Borrower or any Subsidiary for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

(vii) 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;

(viii) Investments in the form of Swap Agreements for non-speculative purposes;

(ix) Investments resulting from pledges or deposits described in clause (c) or (d) of the definition of the term “Permitted Encumbrance”;

(x) receivables or other trade payables owing to the Borrower or a Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms, provided that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Borrower or any Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

(xi) Investments in the Depository Trust Clearing Corporation or any other entity that is regulated as a clearing corporation to the extent required by applicable law;

(xii) asset purchases (including purchases of inventory, supplies and materials) and the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons in the ordinary course of business; and

(xiii) Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of leases (other than capitalized leases) or other obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that do not constitute Indebtedness in the ordinary course of business;

(xiv) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, other Investments otherwise restricted by this Section 6.04(a) so long as on a Pro Forma Basis, the Borrower would be in compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 6.08 and Section 6.09 as of the most recent test date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 5.01.

 

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For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested without adjustment for subsequent increases in the value of such Investment.

SECTION 6.05 Asset Sales . The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, sell, transfer, license, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest (other than Equity Interests of the Borrower) owned by it, nor will the Borrower permit any Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares and Equity Interests issued to the Borrower or another Subsidiary (each of the foregoing an “ Asset Sale ”), except:

(a) sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions of (i) inventory, (ii) used or surplus equipment and (iii) Permitted Investments, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(b) Asset Sales made by any Broker Dealer Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(c) sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions to the Borrower or a Subsidiary;

(d) sales, transfers and other dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof consistent with past practice;

(e) sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions of property to the extent that such property constitutes an Investment permitted by Section 6.04;

(f) leases entered into in the ordinary course of business, to the extent that they do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(g) licenses or sublicenses of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business, to the extent that they do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(h) dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(i) issuances of Equity Interests of IDCG and sales, transfers and other dispositions of Equity Interests of IDCG; and

(j) so long as the Borrower would be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants set forth in Section 6.08 and Section 6.09 as of the most recent test date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b)

 

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of Section 5.01, Asset Sales of assets that are not otherwise permitted by any other clause of this Section, provided that such (i) assets sold in any calendar year shall not, in the aggregate, account for more than 20.0% of Consolidated EBITDA or more than 20.0% of the Borrower’s consolidated total revenues for the prior calendar year and (ii) as of any time of determination, such assets sold during the term of this Agreement shall not, in the aggregate, account for more than 40.0% of Consolidated EBITDA or more than 40.0% of the Borrower’s consolidated total revenues, in each case on a cumulative basis from January 1, 2010 through the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.

For the avoidance of doubt, the granting of Liens permitted by Section 6.02, the making of Investments permitted by Section 6.04, any mergers, consolidations, liquidations or dissolutions permitted by Section 6.03(a) and any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.06 will not be deemed to be Asset Sales for purposes of this Section 6.05.

SECTION 6.06 Restricted Payments .

(a) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except (i) the Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to the applicable class of their Equity Interests; (ii) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests or with respect to Equity Equivalents, in each case, payable solely in Equity Interests or Equity Equivalents (other than Disqualified Equity Interests); (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments not exceeding $10,000,000 during any fiscal year pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans, employment agreements or other benefit plans approved by the Borrower’s board of directors for management, directors, former directors, employees and former employees of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries; (iv) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments, provided that (x) on a Pro Forma Basis (A) the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the Borrower’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 5.01 would be equal to or less than 3.0 to 1.0 and (B) the Borrower would be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenant set forth in Section 6.08 as of the most recent test date as of the most recent test date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 5.01 and (y) at the time of any such payment, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; (v) the Borrower may make additional Restricted Payments not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.06 in an aggregate amount not exceeding $100,000,000; (vi) the Borrower or its Subsidiaries may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire Qualified Equity Interests or options in exchange for (or out of the proceeds of a substantially concurrent offering of) Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower or newly issued options to acquire Equity Interests of the Borrower; (vii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary from any holder of Equity Interests in such Subsidiary so long as, after giving effect thereto, (x) no Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the covenants set forth in Section 6.08 and Section 6.09 as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower for

 

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which financial statements have been or were required to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 5.01 and (viii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire Qualified Equity Interests within 180 days of any Acquisition which was funded in whole or in part through the issuance of Qualified Equity Interests to the sellers of the business acquired in such Acquisition so long as the amount expended does not exceed the current market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the Qualified Equity Interests issued to such sellers in such Acquisition.

SECTION 6.07 Transactions with Affiliates . The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease, license 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, except (i) transactions in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not materially less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (ii) transactions between or among the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, (iii) loans or advances to employees permitted under Section 6.04, (iv) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters permitted under Section 6.04(a)(vi), (v) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Borrower or any Subsidiary who are not employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (vi) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Borrower’s board of directors, (vii) employment and severance arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any employee thereof and approved by the Borrower’s board of directors, (viii) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.06, (ix) transactions pursuant to the agreements set forth on Schedule 6.07 , and (x) any transaction with an Affiliate (other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary) where the only consideration paid to such Affiliate is Qualified Capital Stock of the Borrower including conversions pursuant to any convertible debt instrument.

SECTION 6.08 Interest Expense Coverage Ratio . The Borrower will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be less than 4.00 to 1.0.

SECTION 6.09 Leverage Ratio . The Borrower will not permit the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower to be greater than the ratio set forth below opposite such period in the table below:

 

Fiscal Period    Ratio

January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011

   3.50 to 1.00

January 1, 2012 and thereafter

   3.25 to 1.00

 

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ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

If any of the following events (any such event, an “ Event 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 paragraph (a) of this Article) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower 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, if qualified by materiality, prove to have been incorrect or, if not so qualified, prove to have been incorrect in any material respect, in each case when made or deemed made;

(d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a) or in Article VI;

(e) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from any Lender or the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

(f) 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 or within any applicable grace period;

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity, provided that this paragraph (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (to the extent such sale, transfer or other disposition is not prohibited under this Agreement);

 

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(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Material 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) the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership 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 paragraph (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Material 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) the Borrower or any Material 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 $50,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower, any Material 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 the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(m)(i) the SEC shall have revoked or suspended the status of the Borrower, or any Subsidiary with total capital in excess of $10,000,000 in the aggregate of all such entities, as a national securities exchange under the Exchange Act (if such status has been granted) or as a broker or dealer under the Exchange Act, or (ii) the Securities Investor Protection Corporation shall have applied for a protective decree with respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary with total capital in excess of $10,000,000 in the aggregate of all such entities;

 

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(n) the SFSA has pursuant to the Securities Market Act (Sw. lagen 2007:528 (om värdepappersmarknaden )) (i) revoked any of the Borrower’s permits and authorizations to indirectly own shares in a Broker Dealer Subsidiary, and/or (ii) revoked any Broker Dealer Subsidiary’s authorizations and/or permits; or

(o) a Change in Control shall occur,

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article), 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 any of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, (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 (iii) require the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the LC Exposure; and in case of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article, 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 and the Borrower shall be required to Cash Collateralize the LC Exposure, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

ARTICLE VIII

REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as Administrative 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. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

The bank serving as 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 the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

 

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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 as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary or believed by the such Agent in good faith to be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 2.05 or 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 the 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 2.05 or Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by 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.

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.

The Administrative Agent may perform any 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 and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article 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.

 

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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, in consultation with the Borrower, 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 such retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then such 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 the United States or an Affiliate of any such bank, provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) such retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the Issuing Bank directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this paragraph. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as 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. 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 such Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article 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.

Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Article shall also constitute its resignation as Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, (ii) the retiring Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Bank to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit.

Each Lender and the Issuing Bank 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 and the Issuing Bank 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

 

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it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this any Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished thereunder.

In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law or any other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or LC Exposure shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to (a) file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Exposures and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Issuing Bank under Sections 2.05(e) and 2.12) allowed in such judicial proceeding, and (b) collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 2.10.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the Issuing Bank or in any such proceeding.

To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. If the Internal Revenue Service or any other authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, because the appropriate form was not delivered or not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding tax ineffective), such Lender shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.13 or Section 2.15 and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Taxes or otherwise, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses and any other out-of-pocket expenses, whether or not such tax was correctly or legally

 

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imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, none of the institutions identified as an Arranger or Joint Bookrunning Manager on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under any Loan Document, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder.

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 the Borrower, to it at 9600 Blackwell Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850, Attention of General Counsel (Telecopy No. (301) 978-8472);

(b) if to the Administrative Agent, to the Administrative Agent’s Office;

(c) if to an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender other than the Administrative Agent, to it at the address or telecopy number set forth separately in writing; and

(d) 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 the 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 the Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the 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.

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE

 

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PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided , however , that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

SECTION 9.02 Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the 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, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other 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 the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, 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 the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Except as provided in Section 2.18 with respect to any Incremental Facility Amendment, neither any Loan Document nor any provision 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 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 the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders, provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan, LC Disbursement or LC Advance or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent

 

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of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the maturity of any Loan, or the date of any scheduled payment of the principal amount of any Term Loan under Section 2.08 or the applicable Incremental Facility Amendment, or the required date of reimbursement of any LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest or fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) alter the manner in which payments or prepayments of principal, interest or other amounts hereunder shall be applied as among the Lenders or Types of Loans or change Section 2.16(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, in each case without the written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” or “Required Revolving Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) 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 (or each Lender of such Class, as the case may be) (it being understood that, other than pursuant to any Incremental Facility Amendment (the consent requirements for which are set forth in Section 2.20), with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Term Loans and Revolving Commitments on the date hereof), (vi) change any provisions of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding Loans of any Class differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written consent of Lenders holding a majority in interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each affected Class, (vii) modify the protections afforded to an SPV pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.04(e) without the written consent of such SPV or (viii) make any changes that impose any restriction on the ability of any Lender to assign any of its rights or obligations, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby; provided further that (A) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, (B) without limiting clause (C) below, any waiver, amendment or modification of this Agreement that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of a particular Class (but not the Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of any other Class) may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the requisite percentage in interest of the affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time, and (C) after the initial Borrowings, no amendment, waiver or consent shall amend, modify supplement or waive the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or any representation or warranty set forth in Article III without the written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders (it being understood that no other amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of any term or provision of this Agreement, including any waiver of a covenant or a Default, shall be deemed to be an amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of Section 4.02 or any such representations or warranties for purposes of this clause C). Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the election of the Borrower to switch from GAAP to IFRS this Agreement may be amended (or amended and

 

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restated) with only the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (and not any other Lender or the Required Lenders) to eliminate any changes to the meaning of this Agreement as a result of such election.

(c) In connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a “ Proposed Change ”) requiring the consent of all Lenders or all affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders (and, to the extent any Proposed Change requires the consent of Lenders holding Loans of any Class pursuant to clause (v) or (vi) of paragraph (a) of this Section, the consent of a majority in interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of such Class) 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 paragraph (b) of this Section being referred to as a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”), then, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Non-Consenting Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Non-Consenting 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 (a) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (b) such Non-Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and LC Advances, 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 (c) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).

SECTION 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the U.S. Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates and the Nordic Lead Arrangers, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsels for the Administrative Agent and the Nordic Lead Arrangers, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof, (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iv) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents,

 

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including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such 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 and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, each Arranger, each Joint Bookrunning Manager, each Documentation Agent 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 and related expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee and any settlement costs, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties to the Loan Documents of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the 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), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on, at, to or from any Mortgaged Property or any other property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any other Environmental Liability related in any material respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or (iv) 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 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 are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of its officers’, directors’, employees’, or solely to the extent acting on behalf of any of the foregoing, agents’, advisors’ or other representatives’.

(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section but without affecting the Borrower’s obligations thereunder, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the 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 or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the aggregate Revolving Exposures, outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments at the time such indemnity or reimbursement is sought; provided that for purposes of indemnifying the Issuing Bank hereunder a Lender’s “pro rata share” will be based on the proportionate amount of the aggregate Revolver Exposure. The obligations of the Lenders under this paragraph (c) are subject to the second sentence of Section 2.02 (which shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Lenders’ obligations under this paragraph (c)).

 

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(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and 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, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than five Business Days after written demand therefor.

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 the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that 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). 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 the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank 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 paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees 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) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of (A) the Borrower, provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below) or, if a Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee, (B) the Administrative Agent, not to be unreasonably withheld, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund and (C) the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, provided that no consent of the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan or Term Commitment.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions: (A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the trade date specified in the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment or, if no trade date is so specified, as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative

 

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Agent) shall not be less than $2,500,000 or, in the case of a Term Loan and/or Term Commitment, $1,000,000, unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause (B) shall not be construed to prohibit assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans, (C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in an amount of $3,500 (it being understood that the Administrative Agent may elect, in its sole discretion, to waive such processing and recordation fee for any assignment and only one such Fee shall be payable in connection with simultaneous assignments to or by two or more Approved Funds); provided that assignments made pursuant to Section 2.17(b) or Section 9.02(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 2.15(e).

For purposes of paragraph (b) of this Section, the terms “Approved Fund” and “CLO” have the following meanings:

Approved Fund ” means (a) a CLO 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.

CLO ” means 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 activities and is administered or managed by a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption 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 Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 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 Section 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 paragraph (c)(i) of this Section.

 

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(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption 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 and interest thereon owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank 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.

(v) Promptly upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required by Section 2.15(e) (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption 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 paragraph.

(vi) The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption 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.

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (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) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank 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 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 paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15, subject to the requirements and limitations therein

 

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( provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.16(c) as though it were a Lender) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. 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 2.16(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, 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 obligations under this Agreement (the “ Participant Register ”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive 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.

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.13 or Section 2.15 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 not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(d) 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 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.

(e) 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 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. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). 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,

 

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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 Administrative Agent) providing liquidity 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. Each party hereto hereby agrees that an SPV shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein), but neither the grant to any SPV nor the exercise by any SPV of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase the obligations of the Borrower under such Sections unless the grant to the SPV was made with the Borrower’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed),

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender assigns all of its Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 9.04(b), such Issuing Bank may, (i) upon 30 days’ written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as Issuing Bank and/or (ii) upon 30 days’ written notice to the Borrower, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation as Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender hereunder; provided , however , that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of the resigning Person as Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be. If any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender resigns as Issuing Bank, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the Issuing Bank hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Issuing Bank and all LC Exposures with respect thereto. If any Person resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation. Upon the appointment of a successor Issuing Bank and/or Swingline Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the retrieving Person to effectively assume the obligations of the resigning Person with respect to such Letters of Credit.

SECTION 9.05 Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower 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, the 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.

 

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The provisions of Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 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 Article IV, 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 telecopy 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 . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each of their respective 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, the Issuing Bank 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 now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender or the Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or the Issuing Bank 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 or Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender and the Issuing Bank 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. The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates may have.

 

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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) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the non-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 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, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document against the Borrower or their respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) 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 paragraph (b) of this Section. 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.

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.

 

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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 Lenders and the Issuing Bank agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below) and neither use nor disclose such Information, except that Information may be used by such Person in evaluating the credit worthiness of the Borrower or in providing financial services to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (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 purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (in which case the Borrower will be promptly notified), (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, (ii) any pledgee referred to in Section 9.04(d) or (iii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.

For purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any such Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 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.

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.

 

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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 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or LC Disbursement or participation 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 USA Patriot Act . Each Lender hereby notifies 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 “ Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

SECTION 9.15 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the credit facilities provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, on the other hand, and the Borrower is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers each is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the Arrangers has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or any of the Arrangers has advised or is currently advising the Borrower or any of its Affiliates on other matters) and neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the Arrangers has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests

 

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that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the Arrangers has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) and the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. The Borrower hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and each Arranger with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty.

SECTION 9.16 Judgment Currency . If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in such currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.,
By:  

/s/ Adena T. Friedman

  Name:   Adena T. Friedman
  Title:  

Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

[Credit Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, a Lender, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank

By:  

/s/ William J. Coupe

  Name:   William J. Coupe
  Title:   Senior Vice President

[NASDAQ CREDIT AGREEMENT]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Alexeev J. Taboas

  Name:   Alexeev J. Taboas
  Title:   Vice President

[NASDAQ CREDIT AGREEMENT]


NORDEA BANK AB(publ.), as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Rikard Österman

  Name:   Rikard Österman
  Title:   Director
By:  

/s/ Henrik Möller

  Name:   Henrik Möller
  Title:   Associate Director

[NASDAQ CREDIT AGREEMENT]


SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (publ.), as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Per-Erik Larsson

  Name:   Per-Erik Larsson
  Title:   Client Executive
By:  

/s/ Elwira Eriksson

  Name:   Elwira Eriksson
  Title:   Account Manager

[NASDAQ CREDIT AGREEMENT]


Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Lender
By:  

/s/ Tyrone J. Williams

  Name:   Tyrone Williams
  Title:   Senior Vice President

[NASDAQ CREDIT AGREEMENT]


SVENSKA HANDELSBANKEN AB (publ.) NEW YORK BRANCH

As a Lender
By:  

/s/ Anders Abelson

  Name:   Anders Abelson
  Title:   Vice President
By:  

/s/ Richard Johnson

  Name:   Richard Johnson
  Title:   Senior Vice President

[NASDAQ CREDIT AGREEMENT]


DANSKE BANK A/S, DANMARK, SVERIGE FILIAL, as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Johan Hestréus

  Name:   Johan Hestréus
  Title:   Head of Large Corporate Clients
By:  

/s/ Staffan Sundberg

  Name:   Staffan Sundberg
  Title:   Senior Relationship Manager

[NASDAQ CREDIT AGREEMENT]


DnB NOR Bank ASA, Swedish Branch, as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Carl Hugo Parment

  Name:   Carl Hugo Parment
  Title:   Head of Legal
By:  

/s/ Helena Tegernäs

  Name:   Helena Tegernäs
  Title:   Senior Credit Officer

[NASDAQ CREDIT AGREEMENT]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (the “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the date set forth below (the “ Effective Date ”) and is entered into by and between the Assignor (as defined below) and the Assignee (as defined below). Capitalized terms used in this Assignment and Assumption and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement dated as of January 15, 2010 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”), Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto (the “ Standard Terms ”) are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (a) all the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the facilities identified below (including any Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans included in such facilities) and (b) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (a) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

A-1


Assignor (the “ Assignor ”):

Assignee (the “ Assignee ”):

 

  (a) Assignee is an Affiliate of: [    ]

 

  (b) Assignee is an Approved Fund administered or managed by: [    ]

Borrower: THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.

Administrative Agent: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

Assigned Interest:

 

Facility Assigned

   Aggregate
Amount of
Commitment/
Loans for all
Lenders
   Aggregate
Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned
 

Revolving Commitment and Revolving Loan

   $ 250,000,000    $ [     ] 1  

Tranche A Term Loan

   $ 500,000,000    $ [     ] 2  

Tranche X Term Loan

   $ 500,000,000    $ [    

Effective Date: [                    ], 20[    ].

 

 

1

Except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the Assignor’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the Assignor subject to an assignment shall not be less than $2,500,000, unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent ( provided no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing).

2

Except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the Assignor’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the Assignor subject to an assignment shall not be less than $1,000,000, unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent ( provided no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing).

 

A-2


The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

[ASSIGNOR]
  by  
   

 

    Name:
    Title:

 

[ASSIGNEE]
  by  
   

 

    Name:
    Title:

 

A-3


Consented to and Accepted:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent,
  by  
   

 

    Name:
    Title:

 

A-4


[Consented to:] 3

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.
  by:  
   

 

    Name:
    Title:

 

 

3

To the extent required by the Credit Agreement

 

A-5


STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

I. Representations and Warranties.

A. Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

B. Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Credit Agreement, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to this Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 2.15(e) of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee, and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor 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.

 

A-6


II. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

III. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption 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. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

 

A-7


EXHIBIT B-1

FORM OF BORROWING NOTICE

Date:                      ,             

 

  To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2010 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank.

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

¨ A Borrowing of [Revolving] [Tranche A Term] [Tranche X Term] Loans

¨ A conversion or continuation of [Revolving] [Tranche A Term] [Tranche X Term] Loans

 

  1. On                                                                           (a Business Day).

 

  2. In the amount of $             

 

  3. Comprised of                                                                      

                                      [Type of Loan requested]

 

  4. For Eurocurrency Loans: with an Interest Period of months.

[The Revolving Borrowing requested herein complies with the first sentence of Section 2.01(c) of the Agreement.] 1

 

 

1

Include this sentence in the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing.

 

B-1-1


The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b)  shall be satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable credit extension.

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

B-1-2


EXHIBIT B-2

FORM OF SWINGLINE LOAN NOTICE

Date: [            ], 20[    ]

To:     Bank of America, N.A., as Swing Line Lender,

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2010 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank.

The undersigned hereby requests a Swingline Loan:

 

  1. On [add date] (a Business Day).

 

  2. In the amount of $[            ]

The Swingline Loan requested herein complies with the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) of the Agreement.

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b)  shall be satisfied on and as of the date of the Swingline Loan.

 

THE NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF OPINION OF SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP

[See Attached]


EXHIBIT D-1

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the credit agreement dated as of January 15, 2010 among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank (the “ Credit Agreement ”).

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.15(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (iii) it is not a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Date:                      ,      , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT D-2

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the credit agreement dated as of January 15, 2010 among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank (the “ Credit Agreement ”).

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.15(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (iv) none of its partners/members is a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Date:                      ,      , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT D-3

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the credit agreement dated as of January 15, 2010 among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank (the “ Credit Agreement ”).

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.15(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (iii) it is not a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Foreign Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Foreign Lender in writing (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Foreign Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Date:                      ,      , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT D-4

FORM OF

UNITED STATES TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the credit agreement dated as of January 15, 2010 among The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank (the “ Credit Agreement ”).

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.15(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect to such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (iv) none of its partners/members is a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Foreign Lender with Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Foreign Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Foreign Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Date:                      ,      , 20[    ]

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

NASDAQ OMX Announces Completion of Refinancing Transactions

NEW YORK, Jan 15, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) — The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced the closing of its $1 billion underwritten public offering of senior notes and its $950 million senior unsecured credit facility. As previously announced, the senior notes were issued in two separate series consisting of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% Senior Notes due 2015 and $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.55% Senior Notes due 2020. The new credit facility includes a $700 million funded term loan and a $250 million unfunded revolver.

NASDAQ OMX applied the net proceeds for the senior notes offering, the funded term loan and cash on hand to repay all amounts outstanding under its existing senior secured credit facilities and terminated the associated credit agreement.

The Notes have been offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as joint book-running managers of the notes offering.

In connection with the new credit facility Bank of America, N.A. serves as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing bank and a lender; Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.) serve as Nordic lead arrangers and joint bookrunning managers; Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. serve as U.S. lead arrangers and joint bookrunning managers; and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Nordea Bank AB (publ.) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.) serve as documentation agents and lenders.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About NASDAQ OMX

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world’s largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with approximately 3,700 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX exchanges in Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Iceland, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The matters described herein may contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about NASDAQ OMX’s proposed refinancing. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond NASDAQ OMX’s control. These factors include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in NASDAQ OMX’s annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements.

NDAQF

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

CONTACT: The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

Bethany Sherman

+1 212 401 8714

Bethany.sherman@nasdaqomx.com

Silvia Davi

+1 646 441 5014

Silvia.davi@nasdaqomx.com

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