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As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4, 2019

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   6411   90-0226248
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104

(212) 554-1234

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Dave S. Hattem, Esq.

Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104

(212) 554-1234

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Peter J. Loughran, Esq.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

(212) 909-6000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and an emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to be
Registered (1)

  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share
 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate

Offering Price (1)(2)

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  237,162,500   $21.53   $5,106,108,625   $618,861

 

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the shares being registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions.

(2)

This amount represents the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the securities registered hereunder. These figures are estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The price shown is the average of the high and low sale prices for the registrant’s common stock on May 30, 2019 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

Up to 237,162,500 Shares

 

LOGO

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

Common Stock

This prospectus relates to the sale, from time to time, of up to 237,162,500 of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, by AXA S.A., the selling stockholder. AXA S.A. may offer and sell shares of our common stock held by it directly or through underwriters, agents or broker-dealers, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of the offer and sale. For more information, see “Plan of Distribution.” We will not receive any proceeds from sales of the shares offered by the selling stockholder pursuant to this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “EQH”. The last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE on June 3, 2019 was $20.82 per share.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus and any risk factors described in any applicable prospectus supplement and in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the securities described herein or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is June 4, 2019.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus

     i  

Certain Important Terms

     ii  

Our Company

     1  

Risk Factors

     3  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

     16  

Use of Proceeds

     19  

The Reorganization Transactions

     20  

Recapitalization

     22  

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information

     24  

Description of Capital Stock

     27  

Selling Stockholder

     33  

Plan of Distribution

     34  

Validity of Common Stock

     38  

Experts

     38  

Where You Can Find More Information

     38  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     39  

Glossary

     40  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholder over time may offer and sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings or resales. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the shares of common stock the selling stockholder may offer. Under the shelf process, in certain circumstances, we may provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of a particular offering by the selling stockholder. Any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus may also add to, update, supplement or clarify information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement.

The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate information by reference into this prospectus. This information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. See “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

We have not, and the selling stockholder and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different from, or in addition to, that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we prepare or distribute. We, the selling stockholder and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by us is only accurate as of the date of the document containing such information, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus and any sale of shares of our common stock.

 

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CERTAIN IMPORTANT TERMS

We use the following capitalized terms in this prospectus or documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus:

 

   

“AB” or “AllianceBernstein” means AB Holding and ABLP.

 

   

“AB Holding” means AllianceBernstein Holding L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

 

   

“AB Units” means units of limited partnership interests in ABLP.

 

   

“ABLP” means AllianceBernstein L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership for the AB business.

 

   

“AXA” means AXA S.A., a société anonyme organized under the laws of France, and the selling stockholder from time to time. As of May 9, 2019, AXA beneficially owned 48.3% of our common stock.

 

   

“AXA Equitable Life” means AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, a New York corporation, a life insurance company and a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA Equitable Financial Services, LLC, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Holdings.

 

   

“AXA Financial” means AXA Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Holdings that was merged with and into Holdings on October 1, 2018.

 

   

“AXA RE Arizona” means AXA RE Arizona Company, formerly an Arizona corporation and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Holdings, which merged with and into AXA Equitable Life in April 2018.

 

   

“Board” means the Board of Directors of Holdings.

 

   

“CS Life RE” means CS Life RE Company, an Arizona corporation and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Holdings.

 

   

“EQ AZ Life Re” means EQ AZ Life Re Company, an Arizona corporation and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Holdings.

 

   

The “General Partner” means AllianceBernstein Corporation, a Delaware corporation and the general partner of AB Holding and ABLP.

 

   

“Holdings” means AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. without its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

   

“Reorganization” means the transactions described under the following headings: “The Reorganization Transactions—Transfer of AXA Financial Shares,” “—Extraction of U.S. Property and Casualty Insurance Business,” and “—Transfer of AXA’s Interests in AB,” but does not include the AXF Merger (as defined in “The Reorganization Transactions—Transfer of AXA Financial Shares”).

 

   

“Reorganization Transactions” means the Reorganization, the GMxB Unwind, as defined in “The Reorganization Transactions,” and the Recapitalization, as defined in “Recapitalization,” collectively.

 

   

“Shareholder Agreement” means the Shareholder Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2018, between AXA and Holdings.

 

   

“Trademark License Agreement” means the Trademark License Agreement, dated May 4, 2018, between Holdings and AXA .

 

   

“we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” mean AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context refers only to AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (which we refer to as “Holdings”) as a corporate entity.

For definitions of selected financial and product-related terms used in this prospectus and documents incorporated by reference herein, please refer to “Glossary.”

 

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MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include estimates regarding market and industry data and forecasts, which are based on publicly available information, industry publications and surveys, reports from government agencies, reports by market research firms and our own estimates based on our management’s knowledge of, and experience in, the insurance industry and market segments in which we compete. Third-party industry publications and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources generally believed to be reliable. Our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information” in this prospectus and the risk factors and other information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and in our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

SERVICE MARKS, TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES

We hold and license various service marks, trademarks and trade names, such as “AXA,” “AXA Equitable,” “AllianceBernstein,” “Bernstein,” “AB,” “Structured Capital Strategies,” “Retirement Cornerstone,” “Investment Edge,” “Income Edge,” “EQUI-VEST” and logo designs, that we deem particularly important to the advertising activities conducted by each of our businesses. This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein also contain trademarks, service marks and trade names of other companies which are the property of their respective holders. We do not intend our use or display of such names or marks to imply relationships with, or endorsements of us by, any other company.

 

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OUR COMPANY

For the definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this prospectus, please refer to “Certain Important Terms” and “Glossary.”

We are one of America’s leading financial services companies and have helped clients prepare for their financial future with confidence since 1859. Our approximately 12,500 employees and advisors are entrusted with more than $600 billion of assets under management through two complementary and well-established principal franchises, AXA Equitable Life and AllianceBernstein, providing:

 

   

Advice and solutions for helping Americans set and meet their retirement goals and protect and transfer their wealth across generations; and

 

   

A wide range of investment management insights, expertise and innovations to drive better investment decisions and outcomes for clients and institutional investors worldwide.

We aim to be a trusted partner to our clients by providing advice, products and services that help them navigate complex financial decisions. Our financial strength and the quality of our people, their ingenuity and the service they provide help us build relationships of trust with our clients.

We believe that the growing and aging U.S. population, shift of responsibility for retirement planning from employers to individuals and overall growth in total investable assets will drive significant demand for our products and services going forward. Throughout our long history, we have embraced change and looked to the future, and we continue to see significant opportunities to find new solutions and new ways to deliver service to clients within our target markets.

We have a leading position at the intersection of advice, asset management, retirement and financial protection that we believe provides our clients with products and solutions that meet their long-term financial needs and our stockholders with attractive growth prospects. We have market-leading positions in our four segments:

 

   

Individual Retirement —We are a leading provider of variable annuity products, which primarily meet the needs of individuals saving for retirement or seeking retirement income by allowing them to invest in various markets through underlying investment options. As of December 31, 2018, we had more than 900,000 variable annuity policies in force, representing $94.6 billion of account value (“AV”), which reflects the aggregate policy account value of our products.

 

   

Group Retirement —We offer tax-deferred investment and retirement plans sponsored by educational entities, municipalities and not-for-profit entities as well as small and medium-sized businesses. As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $32.4 billion of AV. According to the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (“LIMRA”), for the year ended December 31, 2018, we were the #1 provider by gross premiums of retirement plans to kindergarten, primary and secondary schools (the “K-12 education market”).

 

   

Investment Management and Research —We are a leading provider of diversified investment management, research and related services to a broad range of clients around the world. As of December 31, 2018, our Investment Management and Research segment had approximately $516.4 billion in AUM consisting of 36% equities, 52% fixed income and 12% multi-asset class solutions, alternatives and other assets.

 

   

Protection Solutions —We focus on attractive protection segments such as variable universal life (“VUL”) insurance, a universal life insurance product in which the excess amount paid over policy charges can be directed by the policyholder into a variety of Separate Account investment options, and indexed universal life (“IUL”) insurance, a universal life insurance product that uses an equity-linked approach for generating policy investment returns. According to LIMRA, for the year ended

 

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December 31, 2018, our VUL sales ranked third in the total U.S. market and first in the retail channel, and our IUL sales ranked third in the retail channel. As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately 900,000 outstanding policies with a face value of $442 billion. This business provides capital diversification benefits alongside the longevity profile of our retirement businesses.

We manage our segments in a complementary way. We strive to create value for our clients and stockholders by pricing and managing risks on the liability side of our balance sheet and by generating attractive risk-adjusted investment returns on the asset side. We leverage our underwriting, risk management and investment management skills across our segments, General Account and Separate Accounts.

We distribute our products through a premier affiliated and third-party distribution platform with a successful track record of marketing our innovative and less capital intensive products and solutions allowing us to respond to our clients’ evolving needs and manage our capital and risks responsibly.

Holdings is a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104, and our telephone number is (212) 554-1234.

We maintain a public website at https://www.axaequitableholdings.com. The information contained on or connected to our website is not a part of this prospectus, and you should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to purchase shares of our common stock.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider and read carefully all of the risks and uncertainties described below, and the risk factors and other information, including our financial statements, contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement before making an investment decision. The risks described below or in any prospectus supplement and the risks in our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference herein are not the only ones facing us. The occurrence of any of those risks or additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In any such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus also contain forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of specific factors, including the risks and uncertainties described below and in any applicable prospectus supplement and the risk factors and other information in our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

Risks Relating to Our Continuing Relationship with AXA

AXA is our principal stockholder and retains significant rights with respect to our governance and certain corporate actions pursuant to the Shareholder Agreement.

Pursuant to the Shareholder Agreement, once AXA no longer beneficially owns more than 35% of our outstanding common stock,

 

   

one director who is designated as an “AXA Director” pursuant to the Shareholder Agreement with AXA must tender his resignation within 60 days;

 

   

the number of AXA Directors that AXA is entitled to nominate to our Board will decrease from three to two; and

 

   

any remaining AXA Director on the Executive Committee may be replaced by a non-AXA Director, a determined by the Board.

Pursuant to the Shareholder Agreement, AXA continues to maintain significant influence over our governance. AXA continues to have consent rights with respect to certain corporate and business activities that we may undertake. Specifically, the Shareholder Agreement provides that, until the date on which AXA ceases to beneficially own at least 30% of our outstanding common stock, AXA’s prior written consent is required before we may take certain corporate and business actions, whether directly or indirectly through a subsidiary, including, among others, the following:

 

   

any merger, consolidation or similar transaction (or any amendment to or termination of an agreement to enter into such a transaction) involving us or any of our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any other person, on the other hand, subject to certain specified exceptions;

 

   

any change in our authorized capital stock or the creation of any new class or series of our capital stock;

 

   

any issuance or acquisition of capital stock (including stock buy-backs, redemptions or other reductions of capital), or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or equity-linked securities, subject to certain specified exceptions;

 

   

any issuance or acquisition of debt securities involving an aggregate principal amount exceeding $250 million;

 

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any amendment (or approval or recommendation of any amendment) to our certificate of incorporation or by-laws; and

 

   

the election, appointment, hiring, dismissal or removal (other than for cause) of the Company’s CEO or CFO.

As a result of these consent rights, AXA maintains significant control over our corporate and business activities. For additional discussion of AXA’s consent rights under the Shareholder Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence—Shareholder Agreement—Consent Rights” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Although AXA has announced that it intends to sell all of its interest in Holdings over time, AXA is under no obligation to do so and retains the sole discretion to determine the timing of any future sales of shares of our common stock. Neither AXA nor any affiliate of AXA has any obligation to provide any capital or credit support to us.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws also include a number of provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control for so long as AXA owns specified percentages of our common stock. See “—Risks Relating to Our Common Stock—Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws and Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company and may affect the trading price of our common stock.” These provisions not only could have a negative impact on the trading price of our common stock, but could also allow AXA to delay or prevent a corporate transaction of which the public stockholders approve.

AXA’s continuing significant interest in us may result in conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest may arise because AXA and its affiliates have continuing agreements and business relationships with us.

Conflicts of interest may arise between AXA and us. Affiliates of AXA engage in transactions with us. Further, AXA may, from time to time, acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us, and they may either directly, or through affiliates, also maintain business relationships with companies that may directly compete with us. In general, AXA or its affiliates could pursue business interests or exercise their voting power as stockholders in ways that are detrimental to us but beneficial to themselves or to other companies in which they invest or with whom they have a material relationship. Conflicts of interest could also arise with respect to business opportunities that could be advantageous to AXA, and they may pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business. As a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, AXA has no obligation to offer us corporate opportunities. See “—Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we waive any interest or expectancy in corporate opportunities presented to AXA.” In addition, changes to IFRS could impact the way we conduct our business (including, for example, which products we offer), our competitive position, our hedging program and the way we manage capital. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Operations—Changes in accounting standards could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus. AXA and its affiliates other than us are among AB’s largest clients. AXA and its affiliates other than us represented 6% of AB’s total AUM as of December 31, 2018 and 2% of AB’s net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018. AB’s investment management agreements with AXA and its affiliates are terminable at any time or on short notice by either party and AXA and its affiliates are under no obligation to maintain any level of AUM with AB. If AXA and its affiliates were to terminate their investment management agreements with AB, it could have a materially adverse effect on AB’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

As a result of these relationships, the interests of AXA may not coincide with our interests or the interests of the other holders of our common stock. So long as AXA continues to control a significant amount of the outstanding shares of our common stock, AXA will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions, including potential mergers or acquisitions, asset sales and other significant corporate transactions.

 

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we waive any interest or expectancy in corporate opportunities presented to AXA.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we, on our behalf and on behalf of our subsidiaries, renounce and waive any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, corporate opportunities that are from time to time presented to AXA, or their respective officers, directors, agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates or subsidiaries, even if the opportunity is one that we or our subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so. None of AXA or its agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates or subsidiaries will generally be liable to us or any of our subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person pursues, acquires or participates in such corporate opportunity, directs such corporate opportunity to another person or fails to present such corporate opportunity, or information regarding such corporate opportunity, to us or our subsidiaries unless, in the case of any such person who is a director or officer, such corporate opportunity is expressly offered to such director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer. To the fullest extent permitted by law, by becoming a stockholder in our company, stockholders are deemed to have notice of and consented to this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This provision allows AXA to compete with us. Strong competition for investment opportunities could result in fewer such opportunities for us. We likely will not always be able to compete successfully with our competitors and competitive pressures or other factors may also result in significant price competition, particularly during industry downturns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If AXA sells a significant interest in our company to a third party in a private transaction, you may become subject to the control of a presently unknown third party and may not realize any change of control premium on shares of our common stock.

AXA has the ability, should it choose to do so, to sell some or all of its shares of our common stock in a privately negotiated transaction. The ability of AXA to privately sell such shares of our common stock could prevent you from realizing any change of control premium on your shares of our common stock that may otherwise accrue to AXA upon its private sale of our common stock. Additionally, if AXA privately sells a significant equity interest in us to a third party, we may become subject to the control or significant influence of a presently unknown third party. Such third party may have conflicts of interest with the interests of other stockholders.

We may fail to replicate or replace functions, systems and infrastructure provided by AXA or certain of its affiliates (including through shared service contracts) or lose benefits from AXA’s global contracts, and AXA and its affiliates may fail to perform the services provided for in the Transitional Services Agreement.

Historically, we have received services from AXA and have provided services to AXA, including information technology services, services that support financial transactions and budgeting, risk management and compliance services, human resources services, insurance, operations and other support services, primarily through shared services contracts with various third-party service providers. AXA and its affiliates continue to provide or procure certain services to us pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement. Certain contracts and services between us and AXA are not covered by the Transitional Services Agreement and continue pursuant to the terms of such contracts. Under the Transitional Services Agreement, AXA agrees to continue to provide us with certain services currently provided to us by or through AXA, either directly or on a pass-through basis, and we agree to continue to provide, or arrange to provide, AXA with certain services currently provided to them, either directly or on a pass-through basis. The Transitional Services Agreement will not continue indefinitely.

We are working to replicate or replace the services that we will continue to need in the operation of our business that are provided currently by AXA or its affiliates through shared service contracts they have with various third-party providers and that will continue to be provided under the Transitional Services Agreement for applicable transitional periods. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the services at the same or

 

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better levels or at the same or lower costs directly from third-party providers. As a result, when AXA or its affiliates cease providing these services to us, either as a result of the termination of the Transitional Services Agreement or individual services thereunder or a failure by AXA or its affiliates to perform their respective obligations under the Transitional Services Agreement, our costs of procuring these services or comparable replacement services may increase, and the cessation of such services may result in service interruptions and divert management attention from other aspects of our operations.

There is a risk that an increase in the costs associated with replicating and replacing the services provided to us under the Transitional Services Agreement and the diversion of management’s attention to these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. We may fail to replicate the services we currently receive from AXA on a timely basis or at all. Additionally, we may not be able to operate effectively if the quality of replacement services is inferior to the services we are currently receiving. Furthermore, once we are no longer an affiliate of AXA, we will no longer receive certain group discounts and reduced fees that we are eligible to receive as an affiliate of AXA. The loss of these discounts and reduced fees could increase our expenses and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

In connection with the IPO and transitioning to operating as a stand-alone public company, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur one-time and recurring expenses. These expenses primarily relate to information technology, compliance, internal audit, finance, risk management, procurement, client service, human resources and other support services. The process of replicating and replacing functions, systems and infrastructure provided by AXA or certain of its affiliates in order to operate on a stand-alone basis is currently underway. Furthermore, as a result of AXA ceasing to own at least a majority of our outstanding common stock, we incurred, and continue to incur, additional expenses. These expenses, any recurring expenses, including under the Transitional Services Agreement, and any additional one-time expenses, including as a result of rebranding, we may incur may be material. We estimate that the aggregate amount of the total separation expenses described above will be between approximately $650 million and $700 million. Through March 31, 2019, a total of $334 million has been incurred, of which $24 million and $61 million was incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Costs associated with rebranding could be significant.

Prior to the IPO, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, we marketed our products and services using the “AXA” brand name and logo together with the “Equitable” brand. On March 28, 2019, AXA terminated the Trademark License Agreement. Accordingly, we expect to rebrand and cease use, pursuant to the Trademark License Agreement, of the “AXA” brand name and logo within 18 months (subject to such extensions as permitted under the Trademark License Agreement). We have benefited, and will continue to benefit for a limited time as set forth in the Trademark License Agreement, from trademarks licensed in connection with the AXA brand. We believe the association with AXA provides us with preferred status among our customers, vendors and other persons due to AXA’s globally recognized brand, reputation for high quality products and services and strong capital base and financial strength. Any rebranding we undertake could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers, which could result in reduced sales of our products. We cannot accurately predict the effect that any rebranding we undertake will have on our business, customers or employees. We expect to incur significant costs, including marketing expenses, in connection with any rebranding of our business. Any adverse effect on our ability to attract and retain customers and any costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Certain of our directors may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their AXA equity ownership or their current or former AXA positions.

A number of our directors have been, and are, AXA officers, directors or employees and, thus, have professional relationships with AXA’s executive officers, directors or employees. In addition, because of their

 

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current or former AXA positions, certain of our directors and executive officers own AXA common stock, American Depository Shares, deferred stock units, performance shares or options to acquire shares of AXA common stock, and, for some of these individuals, their individual holdings may be significant compared to their total assets. These relationships and financial interests may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for AXA and us. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between AXA and us regarding the terms of the agreements governing our relationship with AXA.

We have indemnification obligations in favor of AXA.

We and AXA entered into certain agreements in connection with the IPO, including a Shareholder Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement, Transitional Services Agreement, Trademark License Agreement and a Tax Sharing Agreement (each as defined in “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus), that have governed our and AXA’s obligations to each other following the IPO in respect of, among other things, taxes and transition services and their respective indemnification obligations. The amounts payable by us pursuant to such indemnification obligations could be significant.

We may be subject to ongoing regulation as a result of AXA’s ownership of us and for as long as we are an affiliate of AXA.

Regulators and lawmakers in non-U.S. jurisdictions are engaged in addressing the causes of the financial crisis and means of avoiding such crises in the future. For example, the Financial Stability Board has identified nine global systemically important insurers (“GSIIs”), which include AXA. While the precise implications of being designated a GSII are still developing, it could have far reaching regulatory and competitive implications for AXA and adversely impact AXA’s capital requirements, profitability, the fungibility of AXA’s capital and ability to provide capital/financial support for AXA companies, including potentially AXA Equitable Life, AXA’s ability to grow through future acquisitions, internal governance and could change the way AXA conducts its business and adversely impact AXA’s overall competitive position versus insurance groups that are not designated GSIIs. The multiplicity of different regulatory regimes, capital standards and reporting requirements could increase AXA’s operational complexity and costs. All of these possibilities, if they occurred, could affect the way we conduct our business (including, for example, which products we offer) and manage capital, and may require us to satisfy increased capital requirements, all of which in turn could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

AXA is subject to Solvency II, the European directive which, together with its associated regulations and guidelines, establishes capital adequacy, risk management and regulatory reporting requirements for groups with a parent company established in the European Union. Among other things, as a member of a group subject to Solvency II, we may be required to hold more capital than the levels required under local law and incur costs necessary to comply with its requirements. In addition, because AXA is subject to Solvency II, it may impact the types of investments in, and the duration of, our General Account investment portfolio. It is possible that the requirements imposed on Solvency II groups, or the regulatory interpretation of those requirements, may change over time, increasing our capital requirements or costs.

 

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Risks Relating to Financial Reporting

Fulfilling our obligations incident to being a public company, including with respect to the requirements of and related rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act,” and the Dodd-Frank Act, is expensive and time-consuming, and any delays or difficulties in satisfying these obligations could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations and our stock price.

We are subject to the reporting, accounting and corporate governance requirements under the listing standards of the NYSE, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and the Exchange Act that apply to issuers of listed equity, which impose compliance requirements, costs and obligations upon us. The changes necessitated by publicly listing our equity require a significant commitment of additional resources and management oversight which has increased our operating costs. Further, to comply with the requirements of being a public company, we have undertaken and continue to undertake various actions, such as implementing new or enhanced internal controls and procedures and hiring additional accounting or internal audit staff.

The expenses associated with being a public company include increases in auditing, accounting and legal fees and expenses, investor relations’ expenses, increased directors’ fees, director and officer liability insurance costs, registrar and transfer agent fees, and listing fees, as well as other expenses. As a public company, we are required, among other things, to prepare and file periodic and current reports, and distribute other stockholder communications, in compliance with the federal securities laws and NYSE rules, define and expand the roles and the duties of our Board and its committees, and institute more comprehensive compliance and investor relations functions. Our ability to successfully implement our strategy and comply with the Exchange Act and the SEC’s rules thereunder requires us to be able to prepare timely and accurate financial statements. During the course of preparing for the IPO, we:

 

   

restated the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, restated the interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and for the six months ended June 30, 2017, revised the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and revised the interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and for the six months ended June 30, 2016, in each case included in the first amendment of our Form S-1 registration statement filed on February 14, 2018 related to the IPO; and

 

   

restated the interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and revised the annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and the interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2016, in each case included in our initial Form S-1 registration statement filing on November 13, 2017 related to the IPO.

In addition, during the preparation of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2018, management identified a misclassification error between interest credited and net derivative gains/losses, which resulted in misstatements in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and statements of cash flows that were not considered material. Accordingly, we (i) revised the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, (ii) amended the restated annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and (iii) amended the restated interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and for the six months ended June 30, 2017, in each case that were reported in the IPO prospectus.

Further, in connection with preparing our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, management identified errors primarily related to the calculation of policyholders’ benefit reserves for our life and annuity products and the calculation of net derivative gains (losses) and DAC amortization for certain variable and interest sensitive life products. Accordingly, we (i) amended the restated interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2017 from the previously reported interim financial statements, (ii) revised the interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 from the previously reported interim financial statements, (iii) revised the annual financial statements for the years ended

 

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December 31, 2017 from the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018, (iv) amended the restated annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 from the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 and (v) revised the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 from the IPO prospectus.

Lastly, in connection with preparing the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, management identified certain cash flows that were incorrectly classified in the Company’s historical consolidated statement of cash flows. The impact of these misclassifications was not considered material. Accordingly, the Company has revised its annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and its interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and the Company will revise its interim financial statements, for the six and nine months ended June 30 and September 30, 2018, respectively, in its second and third quarter 2019 Form 10-Qs, respectively.

We cannot assure you that we will not discover additional misstatements in our previously issued financial statements in the future. Any delay in the implementation of, or disruption in the transition to, new or enhanced systems, procedures or controls, including any delay in the remediation of our existing material weaknesses, or if we are unable to comply with the demands that have been placed on us as a public company, including the requirements of the Exchange Act and the SEC’s rules thereunder, could cause our business, results of operations, financial condition or stock price to be materially and adversely impacted.

As a public company there is an increased burden on our accounting and internal audit staff because Holdings is an additional company subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. federal securities laws in addition to our subsidiaries that were already subject to such requirements. These additional burdens increase the risk that we will not be able to timely file our or our subsidiaries periodic and other reports with the SEC. The failure to report our insurance subsidiaries’ financial condition or financial results accurately or report them within the timeframes required by the SEC could cause our insurance subsidiaries to halt sales of certain variable insurance products and delay or prevent us from launching new products or new product features. For instance, AXA Equitable Life failed to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 and required an extension of the due date under Rule 12b-25 for its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Products We Offer, Our Structure and Product Distribution—Our retirement and protection products contain numerous features and are subject to extensive regulation and failure to administer or meet any of the complex product requirements may adversely impact our business, results of operations or financial condition” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

During the course of preparing our U.S. GAAP financial statements for the IPO, our management has identified two material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If our remediation of these material weaknesses is not effective, we may not be able to report our financial condition or results of operations accurately or on a timely basis, which could materially and adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the price of our common stock.

As a public company, we are required to maintain and assess internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures and, after a transition period, publicly report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the rules of the SEC under the Exchange Act. Following a transition period, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to SEC rules under the Exchange Act.

During the course of preparing our U.S. GAAP financial statements for the IPO, our management has identified two material weaknesses in the design and operation of our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting,

 

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such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Until remedied, these material weaknesses could result in a misstatement of our consolidated financial statements or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to our annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

Our management consequently concluded that we do not (1) maintain effective controls to timely validate that actuarial models are properly configured to capture all relevant product features and to provide reasonable assurance that timely reviews of assumptions and data have occurred, and, as a result, errors were identified in future policyholders’ benefits and deferred policy acquisition costs balances; and (2) maintain sufficient experienced personnel to prepare Holdings’ consolidated financial statements and to verify that consolidating and adjusting journal entries were completely and accurately recorded to the appropriate accounts or segments and, as a result, errors were identified in the consolidated financial statements, including in the presentation and disclosure between sections of the statement of cash flows. These material weaknesses resulted in misstatements in our previously issued annual and interim financial statements and resulted in:

 

   

the restatement of the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, the restatements of the interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and for the six months ended June 30, 2017, the revision of the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the revision of the interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and for the six months ended June 30, 2016, in each case that were reported in the preliminary prospectus included in the first amendment of our Form S-1 registration statement filed on February 14, 2018; and

 

   

the restatement of the interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the revision of the annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and the interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2016, in each case that were reported in the preliminary prospectus included in our initial Form S-1 registration statement filed on November 13, 2017.

In addition, during the preparation of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2018, management identified a misclassification error between interest credited and net derivative gains/losses, which resulted in misstatements in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and statements of cash flows that were not considered material. Accordingly, we (i) revised the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 (ii) amended the restated annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and (iii) amended the restated interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and for the six months ended June 30, 2017, in each case that were reported in the IPO prospectus.

Further, in connection with preparing our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, management identified errors primarily related to the calculation of policyholders’ benefit reserves for our life and annuity products and the calculation of net derivative gains (losses) and DAC amortization for certain variable and interest sensitive life products. Accordingly, we (i) amended the restated interim financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2017 from the previously reported interim financial statements, (ii) revised the interim financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 from the previously reported interim financial statements, (iii) revised the annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 from the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018, (iv) amended the restated annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 from the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 and (v) revised the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 from the IPO prospectus.

Lastly, in connection with preparing the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, management identified certain cash flows that were incorrectly classified in the Company’s historical consolidated statement of cash

 

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flows. The impact of these misclassifications was not considered material. Accordingly, the Company has revised its annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and its interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and the Company will revise its interim financial statements for the six and nine months ended June 30 and September 30, 2018, respectively, in its second and third quarter 2019 Form 10-Qs, respectively.

The changes necessary to correct the identified misstatements in our previously reported historical results have been appropriately reflected in our consolidated annual financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Until remedied, these material weaknesses could result in a misstatement of our consolidated financial statements or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to our annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

Since identifying the material weakness related to our actuarial models, we have been, and are currently in the process of, remediating the material weakness by taking steps to validate all existing actuarial models and valuation systems as well as to improve controls and processes around our assumption and data process. These steps include verifying inputs and unique algorithms, ensuring alignment with documented accounting standards and verifying that assumptions used in our models are consistent with documented assumptions and data is reliable. The remediation efforts are being performed by our internal model risk team (which is separate from our modeling and valuation teams), as supported by third party firms. We will continue to enhance controls to ensure that our models, including assumptions and data, are re-validated on a fixed calendar schedule and that new model changes and product features are tested through our internal model risk team prior to adoption within our models and systems. Although we plan to complete this remediation process as quickly as possible, we cannot at this time estimate when the remediation will be completed.

Since identifying the material weakness related to our journal entry process, we have been, and are currently in the process of, remediating the material weakness by taking steps to strengthen the control function related to our financial closing process. These steps include recruiting additional personnel, retaining external expert resources, further automating entries where possible, enhancing the design of certain management review controls and providing training regarding internal control processes. We will continue to enhance controls to ensure that the financial closing process is effectively implemented. Although we plan to complete this remediation process as quickly as possible, we cannot at this time estimate when the remediation will be completed.

If we fail to remediate effectively these material weaknesses or if we identify additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to report our financial condition or financial results accurately or to report them within the timeframes required by the SEC. If this were the case, we could become subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Furthermore, failure to report our insurance subsidiaries’ financial condition or financial results accurately or report them within the timeframes required by the SEC could cause our insurance subsidiaries to curtail or cease sales of certain variable insurance products. In addition, if we are unable to determine that our internal control over financial reporting or our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, when required, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, we may face reduced ability to obtain financing and restricted access to the capital markets, we may be required to curtail or cease sales of our products, and the price of our common stock may be materially and adversely affected.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock may be volatile and could decline.

Volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent you from being able to sell your shares at or above the price you paid for your shares. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:

 

   

industry or general market conditions;

 

   

domestic and international economic factors unrelated to our performance;

 

   

changes in our customers’ preferences;

 

   

new regulatory pronouncements and changes in regulatory guidelines;

 

   

lawsuits, enforcement actions and other claims by third parties or governmental authorities;

 

   

adverse publicity related to us or another industry participant;

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

 

   

changes in securities analysts’ estimates of our financial performance or lack of research coverage and reports by industry analysts;

 

   

action by institutional stockholders or other large stockholders (including AXA), including future sales of our common stock;

 

   

failure to meet any guidance given by us or any change in any guidance given by us, or changes by us in our guidance practices;

 

   

announcements by us of significant impairment charges;

 

   

speculation in the press or investment community;

 

   

investor perception of us and our industry;

 

   

changes in market valuations or earnings of similar companies;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, dispositions or strategic partnerships;

 

   

war, terrorist acts and epidemic disease;

 

   

any future sales of our common stock or other securities;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel; and

 

   

misconduct or other improper actions of our employees.

In particular, we cannot assure you that you will be able to resell your shares at or above the public offering price. Stock markets have experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, class action litigation has often been instituted against the affected company. Any litigation of this type brought against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Future sales of shares by us or our existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. These sales, or the possibility that

 

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these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.

As of May 9, 2019, we have 491,138,042 outstanding shares of common stock. Of these outstanding shares, all of the shares sold in the IPO, the November 2018 secondary offering and the March 2019 secondary offering are, and all of the shares to be sold under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will be, immediately tradable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” except for any shares held by “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or “Rule 144.”

In May 2018, November 2018 and March 2019, we filed registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register the shares of common stock to be issued under our equity compensation plans and, as a result, all shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under our plans are also freely tradable under the Securities Act, subject to the terms of the lock-up agreements, unless purchased by our affiliates. As of May 9, 2019, 5,557,380 shares of our common stock are available for future issuances under our equity incentive plans.

The remaining shares of common stock outstanding as of May 9, 2019 are restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144, but will be eligible for resale subject, in certain cases, to applicable volume, manner of sale, holding period and other limitations of Rule 144 or pursuant to an exception from registration under Rule 701 under the Securities Act, or “Rule 701,” subject to the terms of applicable lock-up agreements.

In the future, we may issue additional shares of common stock or other equity or debt securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock in connection with a financing, strategic investment, litigation settlement or employee arrangement or otherwise. Any of these issuances could result in substantial dilution to our existing stockholders and could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts that cover our common stock downgrade our stock or publish misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of the analysts ceases coverage of our common stock or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease, which could cause our common stock price or trading volume to decline.

Future offerings of debt or equity securities which would rank senior to our common stock may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

If, in the future, we decide to issue debt or equity securities that rank senior to our common stock, it is likely that such securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock and may result in dilution to owners of our common stock. We and, indirectly, our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common stock will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting the value of their stock holdings in us.

 

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Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws and Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company and may affect the trading price of our common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws include a number of provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us that stockholders may consider favorable. For example, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws collectively:

 

   

authorize the issuance of shares of our common stock to create voting impediments or to frustrate persons otherwise seeking to effect a takeover or gain control;

 

   

authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our Board to thwart a takeover attempt;

 

   

provide that vacancies on our Board, including vacancies resulting from an enlargement of our Board, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office;

 

   

prohibit stockholders from calling special meetings of stockholders;

 

   

prohibit stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders;

 

   

establish advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before an annual meeting of our stockholders; and

 

   

require the approval of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of our common stock to amend our amended and restated by-laws and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

These provisions may prevent our stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if the provisions are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws may also make it difficult for stockholders to replace or remove our management. Furthermore, the existence of the foregoing provisions, as well as the significant amount of common stock that AXA continues to own, could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions may facilitate management entrenchment that may delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a change in our control, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes provisions limiting the personal liability of our directors for breaches of fiduciary duty under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the “DGCL,” relating to the liability of directors. These provisions eliminate a director’s personal liability to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty;

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;

 

   

under Section 174 of the DGCL (unlawful dividends); or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

 

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The principal effect of the limitation on liability provision is that a stockholder is unable to prosecute an action for monetary damages against a director unless the stockholder can demonstrate a basis for liability for which indemnification is not available under the DGCL. These provisions, however, should not limit or eliminate our rights or any stockholder’s rights to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s fiduciary duty. These provisions do not alter a director’s liability under federal securities laws. The inclusion of this provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our stockholders by any of our directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising out of or under the DGCL, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (including, without limitation, any action asserting a claim arising out of or pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated by-laws) or (iv) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. By becoming a stockholder in our company, you will be deemed to have notice of and have consented to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation related to choice of forum. The choice of forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein contain forward-looking statements and cautionary statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “is optimistic,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and include, without limitation, statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, assumptions or current expectations concerning, among other things, financial goals, financial position, results of operations, cash flows, prospects, strategies or expectations, and the impact of prevailing economic conditions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and that actual performance and outcomes, including, without limitation, our actual results of operations or financial condition, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by any forward-looking statements. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, those results may not be indicative of results in subsequent periods. New factors emerge from time to time that may cause our business not to develop as we expect, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. Factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

 

   

Adverse conditions in the global capital markets and the economy, including equity market declines, interest rate fluctuations and market conditions, and the ability to meet our liquidity needs;

 

   

Inadequacy of our reinsurance and hedging programs;

 

   

GMxB features within certain of our products;

 

   

Competition from other insurance companies, banks, asset managers and other financial institutions;

 

   

The failure of our new business strategy in accomplishing our objectives;

 

   

Risks related to our Investment Management and Research segment, including significant fluctuations in AB’s AUM, the industry-wide shift from actively-managed investment services to passive services, termination of investment advisory agreement, inability to deliver consistent performance, the quantitative models AB uses in certain of its investment services containing errors, and fluctuations in exchange rates;

 

   

Inability to recruit, motivate and retain key employees and experienced and productive financial professionals;

 

   

The amount of statutory capital we have and must hold to meet our statutory capital requirements and our financial strength and credit ratings varying significantly from time to time;

 

   

Holdings’ dependence on the ability of its insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends and other distributions to Holdings, and the failure of its insurance subsidiaries to generate sufficient statutory earnings or have sufficient statutory surplus to enable them to pay ordinary dividends;

 

   

Operational failures, failure of information systems or failure to protect the confidentiality of customer information, including by service providers, or losses due to defaults, errors or omissions by third parties and affiliates;

 

   

Risks related to strategic transactions;

 

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The occurrence of a catastrophe, including natural or man-made disasters;

 

   

Failure to protect our intellectual property and infringement claims by a third party;

 

   

Our investment advisory agreements with clients, and selling and distribution agreements with various financial intermediaries and consultants, being subject to termination or non-renewal on short notice;

 

   

Failure of our insurance to fully cover potential exposures;

 

   

Changes in accounting standards;

 

   

Risks and increased compliance and regulatory costs due to certain of our administrative operations and offices being located internationally;

 

   

Our counterparties’ requirements to pledge collateral or make payments related to declines in estimated fair value of specified assets and changes in the actual or perceived soundness or condition of other financial institutions and market participants;

 

   

Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities, illiquid investments and defaults on investments;

 

   

Changes to policyholder behavior assumptions under the contracts reinsured to our affiliated captives, the performance of their hedging program, their liquidity needs, their overall financial results and changes in regulatory requirements regarding the use of captives;

 

   

The failure to administer or meet any of the complex product and regulatory requirements of our retirement and protection products;

 

   

Changes in statutory reserve or other requirements;

 

   

A downgrade in our financial strength and claims-paying ratings;

 

   

Consolidation of or a loss of, or significant change in, key product distribution relationships;

 

   

The failure of our risk management policies and procedures to be adequate to identify, monitor and manage risks;

 

   

Inadequate reserves due to differences between our actual experience and management’s estimates and assumptions;

 

   

Mortality, longevity and morbidity rates or persistency rates differing significantly from our pricing expectations;

 

   

The acceleration of the amortization of DAC;

 

   

Inherent uncertainty in our financial models that rely on a number of estimates, assumptions and projections;

 

   

Subjective determination of the amount of allowances and impairments taken on our investments;

 

   

Changes in the partnership structure of AB Holding and ABLP or changes in the tax law governing partnerships;

 

   

U.S. federal and state legislative and regulatory action affecting financial institutions and changes in supervisory and enforcement policies;

 

   

The Tax Reform Act and future changes in U.S. tax laws and regulations or interpretations thereof;

 

   

Adverse outcomes of legal or regulatory actions;

 

   

Conflicts of interest that arise because AXA and its affiliates have continuing agreements and business relationships with us;

 

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Our failure to effectively remediate the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, which may result in us not being able to report our financial condition or results of operations accurately or on a timely basis and materially adversely affect the price of our common stock;

 

   

Costs associated with rebranding;

 

   

Failure to replicate or replace functions, systems and infrastructure provided by AXA or certain of its affiliates and loss of benefits from AXA’s global contracts; and

 

   

Future sales of shares by us or our existing stockholders which could cause our stock price to decline.

You should read this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from expectations. All forward-looking statements made in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein are qualified by these cautionary statements. Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated or otherwise, and changes in future operating results over time or otherwise.

Other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and the risk factors and other information in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other filings with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus and contained in any applicable prospectus supplement, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. Readers should read carefully the factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and the risk factors and other information in our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus and contained in any applicable prospectus supplement to better understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and underlying any forward-looking statements.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The selling stockholder will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholder.

 

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THE REORGANIZATION TRANSACTIONS

Summary of Reorganization

In connection with the IPO, we undertook a reorganization, as described generally below. The Reorganization’s primary goals were to ensure that (i) we held, at the time of the IPO, all of AXA’s U.S. retirement and protection businesses and AXA’s interests in AB and (ii) certain AXA U.S. P&C business was extracted from us and held by AXA outside of us. As part of the Reorganization Transactions, we also effected an unwind of the reinsurance provided to AXA Equitable Life by AXA RE Arizona for certain variable annuities with GMxB features (the “GMxB Reinsurance”).

The Reorganization was subject to approval from various state insurance regulators. All required regulatory approvals were received.

In April 2018, we completed the Reorganization.

Transfer of AXA Financial Shares

On October 1, 2018, AXA Financial merged with and into Holdings (the “AXF Merger”). Prior to the AXF Merger, AXA Financial indirectly owned a number of subsidiaries that comprised our retirement and protection businesses and Holdings owned 100% of the shares in AXA Financial. Until January 2018, approximately 0.5% of AXA Financial was held by Coliseum Reinsurance Company, an indirect subsidiary of AXA (“Coliseum Re”), and AXA Belgium S.A., an indirect subsidiary of AXA (“AXA Belgium”). As part of the Reorganization, AXA Belgium transferred its approximate 0.47% interest in AXA Financial to AXA in January 2018 and Coliseum Re transferred its approximate 0.03% interest in AXA Financial to AXA in March 2018. AXA then contributed the entire approximate 0.5% interest to Holdings (the “AXA Financial Transfer”) in March 2018.

Extraction of U.S. Property and Casualty Insurance Business

Holdings formerly held 78.99% of the shares of AXA America Corporate Solutions, Inc. (“AXA CS”), which holds certain AXA U.S. P&C business. As part of the Reorganization, Holdings sold its shares of AXA CS to AXA so that AXA CS and its subsidiaries are no longer a part of the Company. Holdings’ repayment obligation to AXA in respect of a $622 million loan made by AXA to Holdings in December 2017 was set off against AXA’s payment obligation to Holdings with respect to the sale of AXA CS shares and AXA paid Holdings the balance of the purchase price in cash. Note that AXA CS and its subsidiaries have been excluded from the historical financial statements of Holdings because their businesses (i) are demonstrably distinct from the other business of Holdings, (ii) have been managed and financed historically autonomously, (iii) have no more than incidental common facilities and costs with the other business of Holdings, (iv) are operated and financed autonomously following the disposition and (v) do not have material financial commitments, guarantees or contingent liabilities to or from Holdings following the disposition.

Transfer of AXA’s Interests in AB

Prior to the Reorganization, AXA’s interests in AB consisted of (i) approximately 15% held by AXA-IM Holding U.S. Inc., a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of AXA (“AXA IM Holding US”), approximately 3% held by Coliseum Re and approximately 47% currently held by the Company and (ii) the General Partner, 100% of which is held by us. As part of the Reorganization, in April 2018 Holdings acquired (i) 100% of the shares of AXA IM Holding US for approximately $873 million, representing the fair value of AXA IM Holding US’s interests in AB, net of other transferred assets and liabilities of AXA IM Holding US (AXA IM Holding US did not carry on any substantive business activity at the time of the transfer), and (ii) all of the AB Units held by Coliseum Re for approximately $217 million, so that all of AXA’s interests in AB were held entirely by the Company. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information.”

 

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Unwind of GMxB Reinsurance

In April 2018, AXA Equitable Life effected an unwind of the GMxB Reinsurance (the “GMxB Unwind”) to mitigate the impact of any restrictions on the use of captive reinsurers to reinsure variable annuities that could be adopted by insurance regulators by reducing its use of such reinsurance. In addition, AXA Equitable Life undertook the GMxB Unwind in response to its agreement with the NYDFS that required us to provide the NYDFS with notice and the opportunity to disapprove any ordinary shareholder dividend until AXA Equitable Life fully implemented a plan with respect to the management of its variable annuity business ceded to AXA RE Arizona. We expect that the GMxB Unwind will provide increased transparency relative to our variable annuity risk management. The GMxB Unwind had no impact on our financial position or results of operations because the GMxB Reinsurance was between two wholly owned subsidiaries and was therefore eliminated in our U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2018, our insurance company subsidiaries had statutory TAC of approximately $8.5 billion, resulting in a Combined RBC Ratio of approximately 670%.

The GMxB Unwind was accomplished by AXA RE Arizona first transferring certain risks that are not part of the GMxB Unwind to a newly formed subsidiary, EQ AZ Life Re. Following the transfer of that business to EQ AZ Life Re, AXA RE Arizona merged with and into AXA Equitable Life to complete the GMxB Unwind. Following AXA RE Arizona’s merger with and into AXA Equitable Life, the GMxB Business is not subject to any new internal or third-party reinsurance arrangements, though in the future AXA Equitable Life may reinsure the GMxB Business with third parties. For more detail regarding the risks associated with the GMxB Unwind, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Retirement and Protection Businesses—Risks Relating to Our Reinsurance and Hedging Programs—Our reinsurance arrangements with affiliated captives may be adversely impacted by changes to policyholder behavior assumptions under the reinsured contracts, the performance of their hedging program, their liquidity needs, their overall financial results and changes in regulatory requirements regarding the use of captives” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

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RECAPITALIZATION

Prior to the IPO, we operated with a capital structure that reflected our status as a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA. To prepare for the IPO and operation as a stand-alone public company, we undertook various recapitalization initiatives to align our capital structure—both at Holdings and on a consolidated basis—more closely with other U.S. public companies (the “Recapitalization”). In undertaking the Recapitalization, we focused on several goals:

 

   

Maintaining and strengthening our credit ratings;

 

   

Maintaining a mid-20s debt-to-capital ratio going forward;

 

   

Maintaining our target asset level for all variable annuities at or above a CTE98 level under most economic scenarios and an RBC ratio of 350-400% for our non-variable annuity insurance liabilities;

 

   

Replacing financing that was provided or guaranteed by AXA and its affiliates with financing that is supported solely on the basis of our stand-alone credit, and entering into new financing arrangements only on that basis;

 

   

Purchasing AB Units from AXA as described in “The Reorganization Transactions”; and

 

   

Maintaining a cash position of approximately $500 million at Holdings.

On December 8, 2017, we received (i) a capital contribution of $318 million and (ii) a short-term loan of $622 million from AXA, which was set off against AXA’s payment obligation to Holdings with respect to the sale of AXA CS shares. See “The Reorganization Transactions” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information.”

In February 2018, we entered into the Credit Facilities, consisting of a $500 million three-year senior unsecured delayed draw term loan agreement and a $2.5 billion five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks. The revolving credit facility provides for borrowings of up to $2.5 billion or the issuance of letters of credit within a sublimit of $1.5 billion to support our life insurance business reinsured to EQ AZ Life Re following the GMxB Unwind and to support the third-party GMxB variable annuity business reinsured by CS Life RE. The revolving credit facility is available for general corporate purposes. In May 2018, we borrowed $300 million under the three-year term loan agreement for general corporate purposes, including to replace financing that was provided by or guaranteed by AXA and its affiliates (the “AXA Refinancing”) and terminated the remaining $200 million capacity. In addition to the Credit Facilities, we entered into letter of credit facilities with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $1.9 billion, primarily used to support our life insurance business reinsured to EQ AZ Life Re following the GMxB Unwind.

In order to finance the Reorganization Transactions, on April 20, 2018, we issued $800 million aggregate principal amount of 3.900% Senior Notes due 2023, $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.350% Senior Notes due 2028 and $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2048. In April 2018, we used the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, together with an intercompany loan of $800 million from AXA Equitable Life, to (i) repay financing provided by AXA and its affiliates, (ii) purchase 100% of the shares of AXA IM Holding US and (iii) purchase the AB Units held by Coliseum Re. The remaining proceeds, together with $300 million borrowed under our three-year term loan agreement, were used to repay the outstanding commercial paper program of AXA Financial that was guaranteed by AXA. On January 22, 2019, we completed the exchange offer of 99.89% of the 2023 Notes, 99.97% of the 2028 Notes and 99.96% of the 2048 Notes for like principal amounts of new 3.900% Senior Notes due 2023, new 4.350% Senior Notes due 2028 and new 5.000% Senior Notes due 2048, respectively, which have been registered under the Securities Act.

In March 2018, AXA Equitable Life sold its interest in two real estate joint ventures to AXA France for a total purchase price of approximately $143 million, which resulted in the elimination of $203 million of long-term debt on Holdings’ consolidated balance sheet for the first quarter of 2018 and a corresponding reduction of our debt-to-capital ratio.

 

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In June 2009, AXA Financial and AXA initiated a $2 billion commercial paper program on a private placement basis under which AXA Financial or AXA could issue short-term unsecured notes. As a result of AXA Financial’s merger into Holdings on October 1, 2018, Holdings replaced AXA Financial as an issuer under the program. Holdings was subsequently removed as an issuer under the program in October 2018.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information consists of the unaudited pro forma condensed statement of income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the notes thereto. The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the information included under “The Reorganization Transactions” and “Recapitalization” included elsewhere in this prospectus and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the annual financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus. An unaudited pro forma balance sheet is not presented because all of the Reorganization Transactions occurred prior to December 31, 2018 and are fully reflected in the audited balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 included in the annual financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information presented below is useful to investors because it provides a view of our results of operations for the periods presented giving effect to the Reorganization Transactions as if the Reorganization Transactions had occurred at the beginning of such period.

The unaudited pro forma condensed statement of income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2018 has been prepared to give effect to certain of the Reorganization Transactions described below as if these transactions had occurred on January 1, 2018. The pro forma adjustments that were made represent only those transactions which are directly attributable to the IPO, factually supportable and expected to have a continuing impact on our results of operations.

The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information is presented for informational purposes only, and does not purport to represent our financial condition or our results of operations had these transactions occurred on or as of the dates noted above or to project the results for any future date or period. The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information has been prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X. Actual results may differ from the pro forma adjustments.

The pro forma adjustments include the following items:

Legal entity and capital adjustments . As part of the Reorganization Transactions, AXA Belgium transferred its approximate 0.47% interest in AXA Financial to AXA in January 2018. Also, in March 2018 Coliseum Re transferred its approximate 0.03% interest in AXA Financial to AXA. AXA then contributed the entire approximate 0.5% minority interest in AXA Financial to Holdings in March 2018. As a result of the AXA Financial Transfer, AXA Financial became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings before being merged into Holdings on October 1, 2018. As part of the Reorganization Transactions, Holdings sold its shares of AXA CS to AXA so that AXA CS and its subsidiaries, which have been excluded from our historical financial statements, are no longer a part of the Company. To anticipate the funding of this transfer AXA made a short-term loan of $622 million to Holdings in fourth quarter of 2017. Holdings’ repayment obligation to AXA in respect of this loan was set off against AXA’s payment obligation to Holdings with respect to the sale of AXA CS shares and AXA paid Holdings the balance of the purchase price in cash.

AB Transfer . As part of the Reorganization Transactions, in April 2018 we acquired for fair value the AB Units held by AXA IM Holding US and Coliseum Re such that AXA’s interests in AB are now held entirely by the Company. As part of the transfer of the AB Units held by AXA IM Holding US, Holdings acquired AXA IM Holding US, a holding entity without any other substantive business for approximately $873 million. Therefore, the pro forma adjustments also reflect the transfer of the other assets and liabilities of AXA IM Holding US which mainly include an income tax payable of approximately $57 million and a loan from AXA Financial for an amount of $185 million which was transferred to Holdings in July 2018 and subsequently forgiven.

Unwind of financing with AXA . As part of the Recapitalization, we settled all the current outstanding financing balances with AXA and its affiliates, and we removed AXA’s guarantee of AXA Financial’s obligations under AXA Financial’s commercial paper program. In June 2009, AXA Financial and AXA initiated

 

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a $2 billion commercial paper program on a private placement basis under which AXA Financial or AXA could issue short-term unsecured notes. As a result of AXA Financial’s merger into Holdings on October 1, 2018, Holdings replaced AXA Financial as an issuer under the program. Holdings was removed as an issuer under the program in October 2018. Other borrowings from external parties remain in place.

New external financing . As part of the Recapitalization, we incurred $3.8 billion of new indebtedness through the issuance of the Notes which the Company has used to repay current financing and fund the Reorganization, and $300 million of term loan borrowings.

The unaudited pro forma condensed statement of income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2018 has been prepared as though the transactions described above had occurred on January 1, 2018.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018

   As
Reported
    Legal Entity
and Capital
Adjustments
    AB Transfer     Unwind of
Current
Financing
    New
External
Financing
    Pro
Forma
 
     (in millions)  

Premiums

   $ 1,094     $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 1,094  

Policy charges and fee income

     3,824       —           —           —           —           3,824  

Net investment income (loss) and Net derivative gains (losses)

     2,462       —           (2     [B1     (14     [C1     —           2,446  

Total investment gains (losses), net

     (86     —           —           —           —           (86

Investment management fees and other income

     4,784       —           —           —           —           4,784  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total revenues

     12,078       —           (2       (14       —           12,062  

Policyholders’ benefits

     2,915       —           —           —           —           2,915  

Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances

     1,090       —           —           —           —           1,090  

Commissions and distribution related payments

     1,160       —           —           —           —           1,160  

Compensation and benefits

     2,079       —           —           —           —           2,079  

Other operating costs and expenses

     1,809       —           —           —           —           1,809  

Amortization of DAC

     333       —           —           —           —           333  

Interest expense

     231       (3       —           (35     [C2     56       [D1     249  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total benefits and other deductions

     9,617       (3       —           (35       56         9,635  

Income (loss) from operations, before income taxes

     2,461       3         (2       21         (56       2,427  

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (307     (1       (13       (4       12         (313
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     2,154       2         (15       17         (44       2,114  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less: net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     (334     1       [A1     48       [B2     —           —           (285
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Holdings

   $ 1,820     $ 3       $ 33       $ 17       $ (44     $ 1,829  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information

 

[A1]

Represents the decrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest following the transfer of AXA Financial shares.

 

[B1]

Represents the elimination of the interest earned on the loan from AXA Financial to AXA IM Holding US due to the elimination of this loan on the consolidated financial statements of Holdings after the purchase by Holdings of AXA IM Holding US.

 

[B2]

Represents the decrease in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest following the transfer of AB Units.

 

[C1]

Represents the decrease in investment income due to the settlement of existing loans by AXA and its affiliates to Holdings and its affiliates prior to the settlement of the IPO.

 

[C2]

Represents the decrease in interest expense due to (i) the settlement of AXA Financial’s commercial paper program and guaranteed by AXA; and (ii) the settlement of existing loans by Holdings and its affiliates to AXA and its affiliates prior to the settlement of the IPO.

 

[D1]

Represents an annualized interest expense of $182 million, including approximately $171 million interest expense related to our $3.8 billion aggregate principal amount of Notes issued in April 2018 and approximately $10 million of estimated interest expense on $300 million term loan borrowings under our three-year term loan agreement.

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
     (in millions; except
per share data)
 

Net income (loss), as reported

   $ 2,154  

Adjustments:

  

Pro forma adjustments before income tax

     (34

Income tax impact

     (6

Pro forma adjustments, net of income tax

     (40

Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 2,114  

Less: Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

     (285
  

 

 

 

Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to Holdings

   $ 1,829  

Net income (loss) attributable to Holdings common shareholders per common share:

  

Basic

   $ 3.27  

Diluted

   $ 3.27  

Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to Holdings common shareholders per common share:

  

Pro forma earnings per share—basic

   $ 3.29  

Pro forma earnings per share—diluted

   $ 3.29  

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

  

Basic

     556.4  

Diluted

     556.5  

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock is a summary of the material terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws. Reference is made to the more detailed provisions of, and the descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to, these documents, forms of which are filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and applicable law.

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 200,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. There are 552,896,328 shares of our common stock issued and 491,138,042 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of May 9, 2019.

Common Stock

Holders of common stock are entitled:

 

   

to cast one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders;

 

   

to receive, on a pro rata basis, dividends and distributions, if any, that our Board may declare out of legally available funds, subject to preferences that may be applicable to preferred stock, if any, then outstanding; and

 

   

upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, to share equally and ratably in any assets remaining after the payment of all debt and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights, if any, of holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

The holders of our common stock do not have any preemptive, cumulative voting, subscription, conversion, redemption or sinking fund rights. The common stock is not subject to future calls or assessments by us. The rights and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to any series of preferred stock that we may issue in the future, as described below.

As of May 9, 2019, we had 491,138,042 shares of common stock outstanding and eight holders of record of our common stock including Cede & Co., the nominee of The Depository Trust Company, through which shares held in “street name” are held.

Preferred Stock

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our Board has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences and the relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each series, including, without limitation, dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series. As of May 9, 2019, no shares of our authorized preferred stock are outstanding. Because the Board has the power to establish the preferences and rights of the shares of any additional series of preferred stock, it may afford holders of any preferred stock preferences, powers and rights, including voting and dividend rights, senior to the rights of holders of our common stock, which could adversely affect the holders of the common stock and could delay, discourage or prevent a takeover of us even if a change of control of our company would be beneficial to the interests of our stockholders.

 

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Annual Stockholders Meeting

Our amended and restated by-laws provide that annual stockholders meetings will be held at a date, time and place, if any, as exclusively selected by our Board. To the extent permitted under applicable law, we may conduct meetings by remote communications, including by webcast.

Voting

The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of our common stock present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors will decide the election of any directors, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders will decide all other matters voted on by stockholders, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of law, under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, or under our amended and restated by-laws, a different vote is required, in which case such provision will control. Stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

Board Designation Rights

Pursuant to the Shareholder Agreement, AXA has specified board designation and other rights. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence—Relationship with AXA” and “—Shareholder Agreement” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Removal of Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time upon the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

Anti-Takeover Effects of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws

The provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws summarized below may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that you might consider in your best interest, including an attempt that might result in your receipt of a premium over the market price for your shares. These provisions are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our Board, which could result in an improvement of their terms.

Authorized but Unissued Shares of Common Stock . Our shares of authorized and unissued common stock are available for future issuance without additional stockholders approval. While our authorized and unissued shares are not designed to deter or prevent a change of control, under some circumstances we could use the additional shares to create voting impediments or to frustrate persons seeking to effect a takeover or otherwise gain control by, for example, issuing those shares in private placements to purchasers who might side with our Board in opposing a hostile takeover bid.

Authorized but Unissued Shares of Preferred Stock . Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our Board has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences and the relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each series, including, without limitation, dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting

 

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rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series. The existence of authorized but unissued preferred stock could reduce our attractiveness as a target for an unsolicited takeover bid since we could, for example, issue shares of preferred stock to parties who might oppose such a takeover bid or shares that contain terms the potential acquiror may find unattractive. This may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, may discourage bids for the common stock at a premium over the market price of the common stock, and may adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of, our common stock.

Special Meetings of Stockholders . Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of our Board or Chief Executive Officer or by a resolution adopted by a majority of our Board.

Stockholders Advance Notice Procedure . Our amended and restated by-laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before an annual meeting of our stockholders. The amended and restated by-laws provide that any stockholders wishing to nominate persons for election as directors at, or bring other business before, an annual meeting must deliver to our corporate secretary a written notice of the stockholder’s intention to do so. These provisions may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed. We expect that these provisions may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company. To be timely, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered to our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year; provided , however , that in the event that the annual meeting is set for a date that is more than 30 days before or delayed by more than 60 days after the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to our corporate secretary not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day prior to the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which a public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made by us.

No Stockholders Action by Written Consent . Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders action may be taken only at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders.

Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws . Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be amended by both the affirmative vote of a majority of our Board and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock then entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders; provided that specified provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may not be amended, altered or repealed unless the amendment is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of our common stock then entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, including, but not limited to, the provisions governing:

 

   

liability and indemnification of directors;

 

   

corporate opportunities;

 

   

elimination of stockholders action by written consent;

 

   

prohibition on the rights of stockholders to call a special meeting; and

 

   

required approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of our common stock to amend our amended and restated by-laws and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

In addition, our amended and restated by-laws may be amended, altered or repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board, or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3%, of the outstanding shares of our common stock then entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of stockholders.

 

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These provisions make it more difficult for any person to remove or amend any provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws that may have an anti-takeover effect.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law . In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as mergers, sales and leases of assets, issuances of securities and similar transactions by a corporation or subsidiary with an interested stockholder including a person or group who beneficially owns 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Section 203 permits corporations, in their certificate of incorporation, to opt out of the protections of Section 203. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we have elected not to be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL for so long as AXA owns, directly or indirectly, at least five percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock. From and after the date that AXA ceases to own, directly or indirectly, at least five percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock, we will be governed by Section 203.

Insurance Regulations. The insurance laws and regulations of the various states in which our insurance subsidiaries are organized may delay or impede a business combination or other strategic transaction involving us. State insurance laws prohibit an entity from acquiring control of an insurance company without the prior approval of the domestic insurance regulator. Under most states’ statutes, an entity is presumed to have control of an insurance company if it owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting stock of that insurance company or its parent company. These regulatory restrictions may delay, deter or prevent a potential merger or sale of our company, even if the Board decides that it is in the best interests of stockholders for us to merge or be sold. These restrictions also may delay sales by us or acquisitions by third parties of our subsidiaries. See “Business—Regulation—Insurance Regulation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions relating to the liability of directors. These provisions eliminate a director’s personal liability for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty;

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;

 

   

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions; or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

The principal effect of the limitation on liability provision is that a stockholder will be unable to prosecute an action for monetary damages against a director unless the stockholder can demonstrate a basis for liability for which indemnification is not available under the DGCL. These provisions, however, should not limit or eliminate our rights or any stockholder’s rights to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of director’s fiduciary duty. These provisions do not alter a director’s liability under federal securities laws. The inclusion of this provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws require us to indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL

 

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and other applicable law, except in the case of a proceeding instituted by the director without the approval of our Board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws provide that we are required to indemnify our directors and executive officers, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for all judgments, fines, settlements, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with pending or threatened legal proceedings because of the director’s or officer’s positions with us or another entity that the director or officer serves at our request, subject to various conditions, and to advance funds to our directors and officers to enable them to defend against such proceedings. To receive indemnification, the director or officer must have been successful in the legal proceeding or have acted in good faith and in what was reasonably believed to be a lawful manner in our best interest and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, have had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

In connection with the IPO, we entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors. The indemnification agreement provides our directors with contractual rights to the indemnification and expense advancement rights provided under our amended and restated by-laws, as well as contractual rights to additional indemnification as provided in the indemnification agreement.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Corporate Opportunities

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we, on our behalf and on behalf of our subsidiaries, renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, potential transactions, matters or business opportunities (each, a “corporate opportunity”) that are from time to time presented to AXA or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates or subsidiaries (other than us and our subsidiaries), even if the opportunity is one that we or our subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so. Neither AXA nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates or subsidiaries is liable to us or any of our subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity, directs such corporate opportunity to another person or fails to present such corporate opportunity, or information regarding such corporate opportunity, to us or our subsidiaries unless, in the case of any such person who is a director or officer of Holdings, such corporate opportunity is expressly offered to such director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of Holdings. To the fullest extent permitted by law, by becoming a stockholder in our company, stockholders are deemed to have notice of and consented to this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Choice of Forum

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternate forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent provided by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our stockholders by any of our directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising under the DGCL or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (including, without limitation, any action asserting a claim arising out of or pursuant to our amended and restated by-laws) or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. To the fullest extent permitted by law, by becoming a stockholder in our company, you are deemed to have notice of and have consented to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation related to choice of forum.

 

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Market Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EQH”.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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SELLING STOCKHOLDER

The following table sets forth information as of May 9, 2019 with respect to the ownership of our common stock by AXA. The amounts and percentages of shares beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under SEC rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting power or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Securities that can be so acquired are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing such person’s ownership percentage, but not for purposes of computing any other person’s percentage. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. Percentage computations are based on approximately 491,138,042 shares of our common stock outstanding as of May 9, 2019. AXA has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated shares of common stock.

 

Name of Beneficial
Owner

   Number of Shares
Owned (1)
     Percent of Class
(%) (1)
 

AXA

     237,162,500        48.3  

 

(1)

Includes the up to 43,165,624 shares of our common stock owned by AXA that AXA would deliver upon exchange of the mandatorily exchangeable securities that AXA issued concurrently with the IPO. AXA continues to have the right to vote those shares until delivery. The number of shares AXA may deliver upon exchange may change from time to time based on the terms of the mandatorily exchangeable securities.

The number of shares of common stock that we are registering under this registration statement represents the total number of shares owned by AXA.

For information regarding certain material relationships between the selling stockholder and the Company, see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

The selling stockholder may sell the shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus using one or more of the following methods:

 

   

to or through underwriters in a public offering, pursuant to which underwriters may resell shares of our common stock in one or more transactions, including in negotiated transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale;

 

   

“at the market” to or through market makers or into an existing market for the securities;

 

   

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

   

block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

   

privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

short sales (including short sales “against the box”);

 

   

through the writing or settlement of standardized or over-the-counter options or other hedging or derivative transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

   

by pledge to secure debts and other obligations;

 

   

in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers or sales effected through agents;

 

   

through the distribution by any selling stockholder to its partners, members or shareholders;

 

   

a combination of any such methods of sale; and

 

   

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

Registration of shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus does not mean that those securities necessarily will be offered or sold.

To the extent required by law, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. Any prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of our common stock by the selling stockholder may include the following information to the extent required by law:

 

   

the name or names of the selling stockholder(s) and the amounts to be sold;

 

   

the terms of the offering;

 

   

the names of any underwriters or agents and the amounts of shares underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities;

 

   

any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriter compensation;

 

   

any initial public offering price; and

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

The selling stockholder may offer our common stock to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or through underwriters without an underwriting syndicate. If underwriters

 

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are used for the sale of our common stock, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may resell the common stock in one or more transactions, including in negotiated transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. In connection with any such underwritten sale of common stock, underwriters may receive compensation from the selling stockholder, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell common stock to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Such compensation may be in excess of customary discounts, concessions or commissions. Any offering price and any discounts, concessions or commissions may be changed from time to time.

If the selling stockholder uses an underwriter or underwriters to effectuate the sale of shares of our common stock, we and they will execute an underwriting agreement with those underwriters at the time of sale of those securities. To the extent required by law, the names of the underwriters will be set forth in the prospectus supplement used by the underwriters to sell those securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of common stock, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to customary conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered if any of the securities are purchased.

In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by the selling stockholder may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Broker-dealers may receive discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholder (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated. Such compensation may be in excess of customary discounts, concessions or commissions. If dealers are utilized in the sale of securities, the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, if required.

The selling stockholder may also sell shares of our common stock from time to time through agents. We will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of such shares and will list commissions payable to these agents in a prospectus supplement, if required. These agents will be acting on a best efforts basis to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment, unless we state otherwise in any required prospectus supplement.

The selling stockholder may sell shares of our common stock directly to purchasers. In this case, it may not engage underwriters or agents in the offer and sale of such shares.

Any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the selling stockholder’s shares of common stock or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If any entity is deemed an underwriter or any amounts deemed underwriting discounts and commissions, the prospectus supplement will identify the underwriter or agent and describe the compensation received from the selling stockholder.

Certain of the underwriters, broker-dealers or agents who may become involved in the sale of the shares of common stock may engage in transactions with and perform other services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they will receive ordinary compensation.

We are not aware of any plans, arrangements or understandings between the selling stockholder and any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the shares of our common stock by the selling stockholder. We cannot assure you that the selling stockholder will sell any or all of the shares of our common stock offered by them pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, we cannot assure you that the selling stockholder will not transfer, devise or gift the shares of our common stock by other means not described in this prospectus. Moreover, shares of common stock covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

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The selling stockholder may enter into derivative transactions with broker-dealers, other financial institutions or third parties or sell securities not covered by this prospectus in privately negotiated or registered transactions. These transactions may involve the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholder by forward sale or by an offering (directly or by entering into derivative transactions with broker-dealers, other financial institutions or third parties) of options, rights, warrants or other securities that are offered with, convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock.

If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with derivative transactions, the broker-dealers, other financial institutions or third parties may sell shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the broker-dealer, other financial institution or third party may use shares of our common stock pledged by the selling stockholder or borrowed from the selling stockholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of shares of our common stock, and may use shares of our common stock received from the selling stockholder in settlement of derivative transactions to close out any related open borrowing of shares of our common stock.

From time to time, the selling stockholder may pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares it owns. The pledgees, secured parties or persons to whom the shares have been hypothecated will, upon foreclosure, be deemed to be a selling stockholder. The number of the selling stockholder’s shares offered under this prospectus will decrease as and when it takes such actions. The plan of distribution for the selling stockholder’s shares will otherwise remain unchanged. In addition, the selling stockholder may, from time to time, sell the shares short, and, in those instances, this prospectus may be delivered in connection with the short sales and the shares offered under this prospectus may be used to cover short sales.

The selling stockholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers and the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume with the selling stockholder, including, without limitation, in connection with distributions of the shares by those broker-dealers. The selling stockholder may enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the shares offered hereby to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer those securities.

The selling stockholder may elect to make a pro rata in-kind distribution of the shares of common stock to its members, partners or shareholders, as applicable. In such event, we may file a prospectus supplement to the extent required by law in order to permit the distributees to use the prospectus to resell the common stock acquired in the distribution. A selling stockholder which is an individual may make gifts of shares of our common stock covered hereby. Such donees may use the prospectus to resell the shares or, if required by law, we may file a prospectus supplement naming such donees.

Indemnification

We and the selling stockholder may enter agreements under which underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of our common stock may be entitled to indemnification by us and/or the selling stockholder against various liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale of shares of our common stock, until the distribution of the shares is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability of any underwriters to bid for and purchase our common stock. As an exception to these rules, representatives of any underwriters are permitted to engage in transactions that stabilize the price of our common stock. These transactions may consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of our common stock. If the underwriters create a short position in shares of our common stock in connection with an offering (that is, if they sell more shares than are

 

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set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement) the representatives of the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing shares in the open market.

We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, we make no representation that the representatives of any underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

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VALIDITY OF COMMON STOCK

The validity of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus has been passed upon for us by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters with respect to the common stock may be passed upon by counsel for any underwriters, dealers or agents, each of whom will be named in the related prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits thereto. Some items are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the common stock offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance, if such contract or document is filed as an exhibit, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. The SEC maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access the registration statement, including the exhibits and any schedules thereto. Copies of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, are also available at your request, without charge, from:

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104

Attention: Head of Investor Relations

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and, accordingly, file annual reports containing financial statements audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, quarterly reports containing unaudited financial statements, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information without charge at the SEC’s website. You may also access, free of charge, our reports filed with the SEC (for example, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those forms) through our website ( www.axaequitableholdings.com ). Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. None of the information contained on, or that may be accessed through our websites or any other website identified herein is part of, or incorporated into, this prospectus. All website addresses in this prospectus are intended to be inactive textual references only.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain important information that you should read about us. The following documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2019;

 

   

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on May 10, 2019;

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 3, 2019 , March 5, 2019 , March 26, 2019 , March 29, 2019 , April 8, 2019 and May 22, 2019 ;

 

   

Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 9, 2019;

 

   

The description of capital stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A , filed with the SEC on April 25, 2018, as supplemented by the “Description of Capital Stock” included in this prospectus; and

 

   

All documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as amended (other than Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 (including any financial statements or exhibits relating thereto furnished pursuant to Item 9.01) of Form 8-K and not specifically incorporated by reference), after the date of this prospectus.

You should read the information relating to us in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with the information in the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC.

Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes hereof to the extent that such statement contained herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are also available on our website as provided under “Where You Can Find More Information.” Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus unless specifically incorporated herein by reference. You may obtain copies of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from us free of charge by requesting them in writing or by telephone at our address or from the SEC, in each case as provided under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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GLOSSARY

Glossary of Selected Financial Terms

 

Account value (“AV”)    Generally equals the aggregate policy account value of our retirement and protection products. General Account AV refers to account balances in investment options that are backed by the General Account while Separate Account AV refers to Separate Account investment assets.
Alternative investments    Investments in real estate and real estate joint ventures and other limited partnerships.
Assets under management (“AUM”)    Investment assets that are managed by one of our subsidiaries and includes: (i) assets managed by AB, (ii) the assets in our GAIA portfolio and (iii) the Separate Account assets of our retirement and protection businesses. Total AUM reflects exclusions between segments to avoid double counting.
Combined RBC Ratio    Calculated as the overall aggregate RBC ratio for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries including capital held for its life insurance and variable annuity liabilities and non-variable annuity insurance liabilities.
Conditional tail expectation (“CTE”)    Calculated as the average amount of total assets required to satisfy obligations over the life of the contract or policy in the worst [x]% of scenarios. Represented as CTE (100 less x). Example: CTE95 represents the worst five percent of scenarios.
Deferred acquisition cost (“DAC”)    Represents the incremental costs related directly to the successful acquisition of new and certain renewal insurance policies and annuity contracts and which have been deferred on the balance sheet as an asset.
Gross premiums    First year premium and deposits (“FYP”) and premium and deposits after the first twelve months of the policy or contract.
Invested assets    Includes fixed maturity securities, equity securities, mortgage loans, policy loans, alternative investments and short-term investments.
P&C    Property and casualty.
Premium and deposits    Amounts a policyholder agrees to pay for an insurance policy or annuity contract that may be paid in one or a series of payments as defined by the terms of the policy or contract.
Reinsurance    Insurance policies purchased by insurers to limit the total loss they would experience from an insurance claim.
Risk-based capital (“RBC”)    Rules to determine insurance company statutory capital requirements. It is based on rules published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”).
Total adjusted capital (“TAC”)    Primarily consists of capital and surplus, and the asset valuation reserve.

 

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Glossary of Product Terms

 

Annuitant    The person who receives annuity payments or the person whose life expectancy determines the amount of variable annuity payments upon annuitization of an annuity to be paid for life.
Annuitization    The process of converting an annuity investment into a series of periodic income payments, generally for life.
Benefit base    A notional amount (not actual cash value) used to calculate the owner’s guaranteed benefits within an annuity contract. The death benefit and living benefit within the same contract may not have the same benefit base.
General Account Investment Assets (“GAIA”)    Means the invested assets held in the General Account.
General Account    Means the assets held in the general accounts of our insurance companies as well as assets held in our separate accounts on which we bear the investment risk.
GMxB    A general reference to all forms of variable annuity guaranteed benefits, including guaranteed minimum living benefits, or GMLBs (such as GMIBs, GMWBs and GMABs), and guaranteed minimum death benefits, or GMDBs (inclusive of return of premium death benefit guarantees).
Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”)    An optional benefit (available for an additional cost) which entitles an annuitant to a minimum payment, typically in lump-sum, after a set period of time, typically referred to as the accumulation period. The minimum payment is based on the benefit base, which could be greater than the underlying AV.
Guaranteed minimum death benefits (“GMDB”)    An optional benefit (available for an additional cost) that guarantees an annuitant’s beneficiaries are entitled to a minimum payment based on the benefit base, which could be greater than the underlying AV, upon the death of the annuitant.
Guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIB”)    An optional benefit (available for an additional cost) where an annuitant is entitled to annuitize the policy and receive a minimum payment stream based on the benefit base, which could be greater than the underlying AV.
Guaranteed minimum living benefits (“GMLB”)    A reference to all forms of guaranteed minimum living benefits, including GMIBs, GMWBs and GMABs (does not include GMDBs).
Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”)    An optional benefit (available for an additional cost) where an annuitant is entitled to withdraw a maximum amount of their benefit base each year, for which cumulative payments to the annuitant could be greater than the underlying AV.
Indexed Universal Life (“IUL”)    A permanent life insurance offering built on a universal life insurance framework that uses an equity-linked approach for generating policy investment returns.
Living benefits    Optional benefits (available at an additional cost) that guarantee that the policyholder will get back at least his original investment when the money is withdrawn.

 

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Mortality and expense risk fee (“M&E fee”)    A fee charged by insurance companies to compensate for the risk they take by issuing life insurance and variable annuity contracts.
Return of premium (“ROP”) death benefit    This death benefit pays the greater of the account value at the time of a claim following the owner’s death or the total contributions to the contract (subject to adjustment for withdrawals). The charge for this benefit is usually included in the M&E fee that is deducted daily from the net assets in each variable investment option. We also refer to this death benefit as the Return of Principal death benefit.
Separate Account    Refers to the separate account investment assets of our insurance subsidiaries excluding the assets held in those separate accounts on which we bear the investment risk.
Universal life (“UL”) products    Life insurance products that provide a death benefit in return for payment of specified annual policy charges that are generally related to specific costs, which may change over time. To the extent that the policyholder chooses to pay more than the charges required in any given year to keep the policy in-force, the excess premium will be placed into the AV of the policy and credited with a stated interest rate on a monthly basis.
Variable annuity    A type of annuity that offers guaranteed periodic payments for a defined period of time or for life and gives purchasers the ability to invest in various markets though the underlying investment options, which may result in potentially higher, but variable, returns.
Variable Universal Life (“VUL”)    Universal life products where the excess amount paid over policy charges can be directed by the policyholder into a variety of Separate Account investment options. In the Separate Account investment options, the policyholder bears the entire risk and returns of the investment results.

 

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LOGO

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

June 4, 2019

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts or commissions. All amounts are estimates except for the SEC registration fee.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $ 618,861  

Printing Fees and Expenses

     *  

Accounting Fees and Expenses

     *  

Legal Fees and Expenses

     *  

Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses

     *  

Miscellaneous

     *  
  

 

 

 

Total

     *  
  

 

 

 

 

*

These fees will be calculated based on the number of issuances and the amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 145(a) of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 145(c) of the DGCL provides that to the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

 

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Section 145(e) of the DGCL provides that expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in Section 145 of the DGCL. Such expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the corporation or by persons serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

Section 145(g) of the DGCL specifically allows a Delaware corporation to purchase liability insurance on behalf of its directors and officers and to insure against potential liability of such directors and officers regardless of whether the corporation would have the power to indemnify such directors and officers under Section 145 of the DGCL.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a Delaware corporation to include a provision in its certificate of incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. This provision, however, may not eliminate or limit a director’s liability (1) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL, which provides for liability of directors for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases, redemptions or other distributions, or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Section 174 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a director who willfully and negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing the minutes of the meetings of the board of directors at the time the action occurred or immediately after the absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions permitted under the DGCL relating to the liability of directors. These provisions eliminate a director’s personal liability for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty;

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;

 

   

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases, redemptions or other distributions; or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws require us to indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL and other applicable law, except in the case of a proceeding instituted by the director without the approval of our Board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws provide that we are required to indemnify our directors and officers, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for all judgments, fines, settlements, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with pending or threatened legal proceedings because of such director’s or officer’s positions with us or another entity that the director or officer serves at our request, subject to various conditions, and to advance funds to our directors and officers to enable them to defend against such proceedings. To receive indemnification, the director or officer must have been successful in the legal proceeding or have acted in good faith and in what was reasonably believed to be a lawful

 

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manner in our best interest and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

Indemnification Agreements

In connection with the IPO, we entered into indemnification agreements with our directors. The indemnification agreements provide the directors with contractual rights to the indemnification and expense advancement rights provided under our amended and restated by-laws, as well as contractual rights to additional indemnification as provided in the indemnification agreements.

The indemnification agreements provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to us if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws.

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance

We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures against certain liabilities that our directors and officers and the directors and officers of our subsidiaries may, in such capacities, incur.

 

Item 16.

Exhibits.

The Exhibits to this registration statement on Form S-3 are listed in the Exhibit Index which precedes the signature pages to this registration statement and is herein incorporated by reference.

 

Item 17.

Undertakings.

Rule 415 Offering.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however , that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

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(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided , however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

Filings Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by Reference.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to

 

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Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Request for Acceleration of Effective Date or Filing of Registration Statement Becoming Effective Upon Filing.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2018, as filed on June 20, 2018 (the “Q-1 2018 Form 10-Q”)).
3.2    Amended and Restated By-laws of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Q-1 2018 Form 10-Q).
4.1    Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc., File No. 333-221521 (the “IPO Form S-1”)).
5.1    Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.
23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2    Consent of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
24.1    Powers of Attorney (contained on signature pages to the Registration Statement on Form S-3).

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on June 4, 2019.

 

AXA EQUITABLE HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

 

/ S / Mark Pearson

 

Name:  Mark Pearson

 

Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Mark Pearson, Anders B. Malmström and Dave S. Hattem, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agent, with full power to act separately and full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments to this registration statement) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they or such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either or them or his or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

This Power of Attorney shall not revoke any powers of attorney previously executed by the undersigned. This Power of Attorney shall not be revoked by any subsequent power of attorney that the undersigned may execute, unless such subsequent power of attorney specifically provides that it revokes this Power of Attorney by referring to the date of the undersigned’s execution of this Power of Attorney. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever two or more powers of attorney granting the powers specified herein are valid, the agents appointed on each shall act separately unless otherwise specified.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed on June 4, 2019 by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Mark Pearson

Mark Pearson

   President and Chief Executive Officer; Director (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Anders B. Malmström

Anders B. Malmström

   Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ William Eckert

William Eckert

   Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Thomas Buberl

Thomas Buberl

   Director

 

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Signature

  

Title

/s/ Gérald Harlin

Gérald Harlin

   Director

/s/ George Stansfield

George Stansfield

   Director

/s/ Kristi A. Matus

Kristi A. Matus

   Director

/s/ Bertram L. Scott

Bertram L. Scott

   Director

/s/ Daniel G. Kaye

Daniel G. Kaye

   Director

/s/ Ramon de Oliveira

Ramon de Oliveira

   Director

/s/ Charles G.T. Stonehill

Charles G.T. Stonehill

   Director

 

S-2

Exhibit 1.1

CONFIDENTIAL

[ Number ] Shares

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE

FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[ Date ]


[ Date ]

[ Name[s] of Underwriter[s] ]

[as managers of the offering (the “ Managers ”)]

[ Address[es] ]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

AXA S.A., a société anonyme organized under the laws of France (the “ Selling Stockholder ”) and a stockholder of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes to sell to [[ Name of Underwriter ]/the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto] (the “ Underwriter[s] ”), an aggregate of [ Number of Shares ] shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Firm Shares ”).

The Selling Stockholder also proposes to sell to the [several] Underwriter[s] not more than an additional [ Number of Shares ] shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Additional Shares ”) if and to the extent that you[, as Managers of the offering,] shall have determined to exercise[, on behalf of the Underwriter[s]], the right to purchase such shares of common stock granted to the Underwriter[s] in Section 3 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Shares .” The outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company are hereinafter referred to as the “ Common Stock .”

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) an automatic shelf registration statement as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), on Form S-3 (File No. 333-[ ]), including a prospectus, relating to the Shares. The registration statement as amended to the date of this Agreement, including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, is hereinafter referred to as the “ Registration Statement ”; the related prospectus covering the Shares dated [ Date ] in the form first used to confirm sales of the Shares (or in the form first made available to the Underwriter[s] by the Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Basic Prospectus ”; and the Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Shares in the form first used to confirm sales of Shares (or in the form first made available to the Underwriter[s] by the Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act), is hereinafter referred to as the “ Prospectus .” The term “ preliminary prospectus ” means a preliminary prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Shares together with the Basic Prospectus.

 


For purposes of this Agreement, “ free writing prospectus ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, “ Time of Sale Prospectus ” means the Basic Prospectus and the preliminary prospectus supplement contained in the Registration Statement together with any free writing prospectus and any other documents and the pricing information as set forth in Schedule II hereto, and “ broadly available road show ” means a “bona fide electronic road show” as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) under the Securities Act that has been made available without restriction to any person. As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement,” “Basic Prospectus,” “preliminary prospectus,” “Time of Sale Prospectus” and “Prospectus” shall include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein. The terms “ supplement ,” “ amendment ,” and “ amend ” as used herein with respect to the Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus or free writing prospectus shall include all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.

1.     Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to and agrees with [each of] the Underwriter[s] that:

(a)    The Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof; the Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or threatened by the Commission. The Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) eligible to use the Registration Statement as an automatic shelf registration statement and the Company has not received notice that the Commission objects to the use of the Registration Statement as an automatic shelf registration statement.

(b)    (i) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, when such amendment or supplement becomes effective, 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 not misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (iii) the Time of Sale Prospectus does not, and at the time of each sale of the Shares in connection with the offering when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and at the Closing Date (as defined in Section 5), the Time of Sale Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented by the Company, if applicable, 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, (iv) any preliminary prospectus filed as

 

2


part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (v) each broadly available road show, if any, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, does 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 and (vi) the Prospectus does not contain, as of its date, and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, as of the date of such amendment or supplement, 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, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus based upon information relating to [the/any] Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by [the/such] Underwriter through you expressly for use therein or information furnished to the Company in writing by the Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein, which information is limited to the name of the Selling Stockholder, the number of offered shares of common stock and the address and other information with respect to the Selling Stockholder included in the “Principal and Selling Stockholders” section of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus or any issuer free writing prospectus and any information so furnished for use in the preparation of the required answers therein to Item 7 of Form S-3 (the “ Selling Stockholder Information ”).

(c)    The documents filed or are to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Prospectus, when they were filed with the Commission conformed or will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act, and none of such documents contained or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(d)    The Company is not an “ineligible issuer” in connection with the offering pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Any free writing prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Each free writing prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Company complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Except for the free writing prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule II hereto, and electronic road shows, if any, each furnished to you before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without your prior consent, prepare, use or refer to, any free writing prospectus.

 

3


(e)    The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, has the corporate power and authority necessary to hold or own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified, be in good standing or have such power or authority would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”).

(f)    Each Significant Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company has been duly incorporated or organized, is validly existing in good standing (to the extent that such concept is applicable) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, has the corporate or other power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified, be in good standing or have such power or authority would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the issued shares of capital stock or other equity interests, as applicable, of each Significant Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and, except as disclosed in the Time of Sale Prospectus, are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all material liens, encumbrances, equities or claims. For purposes of this Agreement, “Significant Subsidiary” means the subsidiaries listed in Schedule IV to this Agreement. The subsidiaries listed in Schedule IV to this Agreement are the only “significant subsidiaries” of the Company (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X).

(g)    Each subsidiary that is required to be organized and licensed as an insurance company (each, an “ Insurance Subsidiary ,” and collectively the “ Insurance Subsidiaries ”) is duly organized and licensed as an insurance company in the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized and is duly licensed or authorized as an insurer in each other jurisdiction where it is required to be so licensed or authorized to conduct its business as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except in each case where the failure to be so organized, licensed or authorized would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; each of the Company and each Insurance Subsidiary has made all required filings under applicable insurance company statutes and has filed all notices, reports, documents or other information required to be filed thereunder, except in each case where the failure to do so would not reasonably be

 

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expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; each of the Company and each Insurance Subsidiary has all other necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, licenses, certificates, permits, registrations and qualifications, of and from all insurance regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective existing businesses as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except where the failure to have such authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, licenses, certificates, permits, registrations or qualifications (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; none of the Company or any Insurance Subsidiary has received any notification from any insurance regulatory authority to the effect that any additional authorization, approval, order, consent, license, certificate, permit, registration or qualification from any insurance regulatory authority is needed to be obtained by any of the Company or any Insurance Subsidiary other than in any case where the failure to acquire such additional authorization, approval, order, consent, license, certificate, permit, registration or qualification (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; except as set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, no subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any law, rule, regulation, 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 or similar ownership interest, 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 as would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, no insurance regulatory authority having jurisdiction over any Insurance Subsidiary has issued any order or decree impairing, restricting or prohibiting (A) the payment of dividends by any Insurance Subsidiary to its parent or the payment of dividends by such parent to the Company (directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate holding companies directly or indirectly wholly owned by the Company), or (B) the continuation of the business of the Company or any of the Insurance Subsidiaries in all material respects as presently conducted.

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

(i)    The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in each of the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(j)    The shares of Common Stock outstanding (including the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder) have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to any preemptive rights.

 

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(k)    The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement, the sale of the Shares, the consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated or the fulfillment of the terms hereof 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, right or asset 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 property or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or (iii) result in any violation of any law or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, lien, charge, encumbrance, judgment, order or decree that would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory body or agency is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except such as may be required for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act, such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as have been obtained or may be required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”) and such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states and foreign securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriter[s].

(l)    There are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, demands, claims, suits, arbitrations, inquiries or proceedings (“ Actions ”) pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be subject (i) other than Actions described in all material respects in the Time of Sale Prospectus and Actions that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or a material adverse effect on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Time of Sale Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus under the Securities Act and are not so described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(m)    The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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(n)    The Company and its subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“ Environmental Laws ”), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(o)    There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) which would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(p)    There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement, other than as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(q)    The financial statements (including the related notes thereto) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, including the applicable accounting requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S-X ”), and present fairly in all material respects the consolidated 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 in the United States (“ GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby; and the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly in all material respects the information shown thereby; the selected financial data incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus fairly present, on the basis stated in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the information included therein; the pro forma financial

 

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statements included in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus include assumptions that provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions and events described therein, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and the pro forma adjustments reflect the proper application of those adjustments to the historical financial statement amounts in the pro forma financial statements included in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; the pro forma financial statements included in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus comply as to form with the accounting requirements of Regulation S-X; and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements.

(r)    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and as required by the Securities Act.

(s)    Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (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 of its subsidiaries would have any liability (each, a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in compliance in all respects with the requirements of all applicable statutes, rules and regulations including ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (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 such Plan has failed (whether or not waived), or is reasonably expected to fail, to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code) applicable to such Plan; (iv) no such Plan is, or is reasonably expected to be, in “at risk status” (within the meaning of Section 303(i) of ERISA) or “endangered status” or “critical status” (within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA); (v) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any such Plan; (vi) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified, nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification, and the Company shall undertake to maintain such qualification of each Plan; (vii) except as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the fair market value of the assets under each qualified defined benefit pension plan (excluding for these purposes accrued but unpaid contributions) exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such plan) and (viii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan.

 

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(t)    (i) None of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates under the control of the Company (“controlled affiliates”), or any director, officer, or employee thereof, or, to the Company’s knowledge, any agent or representative of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries or controlled affiliates, has taken or will take any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment, giving or receipt of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any government official (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) in order to influence official action or secure an improper advantage, or to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; and (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintained and will continue to maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

(u)    The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company and its subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Anti-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 Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(v)    (i) None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any director, officer, or employee thereof, or, to the Company’s knowledge, any agent, controlled affiliate or representative of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is an individual or entity (“ Person ”) that is, or is owned or controlled by one or more Persons that are:

A.    the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“ OFAC ”), the United Nations Security Council (“ UNSC ”), the European Union (“ EU ”), Her Majesty’s Treasury (“ HMT ”), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), or

 

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B.    located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

(ii)    For the past 5 years, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not knowingly engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions in a manner that would violate any Sanctions.

(w)    Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, (i) the Company and its subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; (ii) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, set aside for payment, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock; (iii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the business, assets, financial position, shareholder’s equity, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (iv) 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 described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(x)    The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them that are material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Time of Sale Prospectus or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or its subsidiaries; and all real property held under lease by the Company or its subsidiaries that are material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries are held under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case, except as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus.

 

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(y)    The Company and its subsidiaries’ information technology hardware and software assets (collectively, “ IT Systems ”) are adequate for the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted. The Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintain commercially reasonable policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain the security of their confidential data (including all confidential personally identifiable data (“ Confidential Data ”)) collected, stored or owned by them in connection with their businesses. Except as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus, during the last three years, there have been no breaches or violations of the Company’s IT Systems with respect to any Confidential Data that have had a material adverse effect on the business of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company and its subsidiaries are presently in material compliance with all laws and regulations and any court orders applicable to the security of IT Systems and Confidential Data.

(z)    (i) The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess or have the right to use, or can acquire on reasonable terms, all material patents, patent applications, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights and copyrightable works, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, trademark registrations, service marks, service mark registrations, domain names and other source indicators, trade names, proprietary or confidential information and all other worldwide intellectual property, industrial property and proprietary rights (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) currently used by them in the conduct of the business now operated by them, (ii) the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ conduct of their business does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property right of any person which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement, misappropriation, violation of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iv) to the knowledge of the Company, the Intellectual Property of the Company and its subsidiaries is not being infringed, misappropriated or violated by any person which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(aa)    No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists, except as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and the Company is not aware of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufacturers or contractors that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(bb)    The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective businesses, assets, officers and directors (the “Policies and Instruments”) are, to the knowledge of the Company, in full force and effect; the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of the Policies and Instruments in all material respects; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has 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 from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto). Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there are no claims by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any of the Policies and Instruments as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause.

(cc)    The Company and its subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, except where the failure to possess the same would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(dd)    Except as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), the Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, including, but not limited to 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 GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (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; and (v) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents

 

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the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(ee)    Except as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Company has not sold, issued or distributed any shares of Common Stock during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or S of, the Securities Act, other than shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants.

(ff)    The Company and each of its subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date of this Agreement or have requested extensions thereof (except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect) and have paid all taxes required to be paid thereon (except for cases in which the failure to file or pay would not have a Material Adverse Effect or except as currently being contested in good faith and for which reserves required by GAAP have been created in the financial statements of the Company), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries which has had (nor does the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have any notice or knowledge of any tax deficiency which would reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or its subsidiaries and which would reasonably be expected to have) a Material Adverse Effect.

(gg)    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 the Company or any of its subsidiaries or [the/any] Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with offering and sale of the Shares.

(hh)    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 Shares.

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

 

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(jj)    (i) The material forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) included or incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus or any road show (the “ Prospective Financial Information ”), including the information incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Business—Financial Goals” which sets out certain forward-looking information for the Company, has been so included or incorporated by reference on a reasonable basis and in good faith, (ii) the assumptions underlying the Prospective Financial Information are reasonable and consistent with the assumptions used in the Company’s internal budgeting process and (iii) the assumptions described in the Prospective Financial Information accurately and fairly describe in all material respects the key assumptions upon which the Prospective Financial Information is based.

2.     Representations and Warranties of the Selling Stockholder . The Selling Stockholder represents and warrants to and agrees with [each of] the Underwriter[s] that:

(a)    This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholder. The place of execution of this Agreement by or on behalf of the Selling Stockholder was [New York, New York].

(b)    The Selling Stockholder has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a société anonyme under French law, with full power and authority to execute and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

(c)    The execution and delivery by the Selling Stockholder of, and the performance by the Selling Stockholder of its obligations under, this Agreement and the consummation by the Selling Stockholder of any other of the transactions contemplated hereby, or the fulfillment by the Selling Stockholder of such terms will not (subject to compliance by the Underwriter[s] with the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement) result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any instrument, agreement or order to which the Selling Stockholder is a party or by which the Selling Stockholder is bound or infringe any law, regulation, order, rule, decree or statute applicable to the Selling Stockholder and are not contrary to the provisions of the constitutional documents of the Selling Stockholder. All consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations of or with any court or governmental authority have been given, fulfilled or done and no other action is required to be taken, fulfilled or done by the Selling Stockholder for or in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Selling Stockholder of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as may be required for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act, such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as have been obtained or may be required by FINRA and such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states and foreign securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriter[s].

 

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(d)    The Selling Stockholder has, and on the Closing Date will have, valid title to, or a valid “security entitlement” within the meaning of Section 8-501 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code in respect of, the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder free and clear of all security interests, claims, liens, equities or other encumbrances and the legal right and power, and all authorization and approval required by law, to enter into this Agreement and to sell, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder or a security entitlement in respect of such Shares.

(e)    Upon payment for the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement, delivery of such Shares, as directed by the Underwriter[s], to Cede & Co. (“ Cede ”) or such other nominee as may be designated by the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), registration of such Shares in the name of Cede or such other nominee and the crediting of such Shares on the books of DTC to securities accounts of the Underwriter[s] (assuming that neither DTC nor [the/any such] Underwriter has notice of any adverse claim (within the meaning of Section 8-105 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code (the “ UCC ”)) to such Shares), (A) DTC shall be a “protected purchaser” of such Shares within the meaning of Section 8-303 of the UCC, (B) under Section 8-501 of the UCC, the Underwriter[s] will acquire a valid security entitlement in respect of such Shares and (C) no action based on any “adverse claim”, within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, to such Shares may be asserted against the Underwriter[s] with respect to such security entitlement; for purposes of this representation, the Selling Stockholder may assume that when such payment, delivery and crediting occur, (x) such Shares will have been registered in the name of Cede or another nominee designated by DTC, in each case on the Company’s share registry in accordance with its certificate of incorporation, bylaws and applicable law, (y) DTC will be registered as a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC and (z) appropriate entries to the account[s] of the [several] Underwriter[s] on the records of DTC will have been made pursuant to the Section 8-501 of the UCC.

(f)    The Selling Stockholder is not prompted by any material non-public information concerning the Company or its subsidiaries which is not set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus to sell its Shares pursuant to this Agreement.

(g)    (i) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, 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 not misleading, (ii) the Time of Sale Prospectus does not, and at the time of each sale of the Shares in connection with the offering when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and at the Closing Date (as defined in Section 5), the Time of Sale Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented by the Company, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to

 

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state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (iii) each broadly available road show, if any, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (iv) the Prospectus does not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; except that the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 2(g) apply solely to the extent such statements or omissions are made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Selling Stockholder Information and do not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon information relating to [the/any] Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by [the/such] Underwriter [through you] expressly for use therein.

(h)    

(i)    The Selling Stockholder will not knowingly cause or permit the proceeds of the sale of the Shares to be used directly to make a loan or other advance to, invest in or continue to or otherwise support the activities or business of any person, entity, country or governmental authority that is the subject of any applicable economic sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“ OFAC ”) or the European Union (“ EU ”) (collectively, “ OFAC/EU Sanctions ”) in any manner that would violate such OFAC/EU Sanctions; and

(ii)    The Selling Stockholder is not listed on any OFAC/EU Sanctions-related list of specifically designated nationals or designated persons or entities (or equivalent) maintained by OFAC or the EU.

(i)    The Selling Stockholder has not distributed and will not distribute any prospectus or other offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares, in each case other than the Time of Sale Prospectus.

3.     Agreements to Sell and Purchase . The Selling Stockholder hereby agrees to sell to the [several] Underwriter[s], and [the/each] Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees[, severally and not jointly,] to purchase from the Selling Stockholder at $[ Price ] a share (the “ Purchase Price ”) the number of Firm Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the number of Firm Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder as the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.

 

16


On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Selling Stockholder agrees to sell to the Underwriter[s] the Additional Shares, and the Underwriter[s] shall have the right to purchase[, severally and not jointly], up to [ Number of Shares ] Additional Shares at the Purchase Price, provided , however , that the amount paid by the Underwriter[s] for any Additional Shares shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on such Additional Shares. You may exercise this right [on behalf of the Underwriters] in whole or from time to time in part by giving written notice to the Company and the Selling Stockholder not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement; provided that the Underwriter[s] may not exercise such right more than two times in such 30-day period. Any exercise notice shall specify the number of Additional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriter[s] and the date on which such shares are to be purchased. Unless otherwise agreed among the Underwriter[s], the Selling Stockholder and the Company, (1) for any such written notice provided before the closing date for the Firm Shares, the purchase date must be at least one business day after the written notice is given and may not be earlier than the closing date for the Firm Shares and (2) for any such written notice provided after the closing date for the Firm Shares, the purchase date must be at least three business days after the written notice is given and, in each case, not later than ten business days after the date of such notice. On each day, if any, that Additional Shares are to be purchased (an “ Option Closing Date ”), [the/each] Underwriter agrees[, severally and not jointly,] to purchase the number of Additional Shares [as set forth in the written notice specified above.] 1 /[(subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date as the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.] 2

The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of [the Underwriter/[ Name of Underwriters ]], it will not, during the period ending 30 days after the date of the Prospectus (the “ Restricted Period ”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) by the Company or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or otherwise publicly announce any intention to enter into any transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above.

 

 

1  

Note to Draft: Include for transaction with one underwriter.

2  

Note to Draft: Include for transaction with more than one underwriter.

 

17


The restrictions contained in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to (a) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (b) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of which the Underwriter[s] [has/have] been advised in writing or which is described in the Time of Sale Prospectus, (c) the transfer of shares in connection with the vesting, exercise or settlement of any grants made under any equity compensation plan described in the Time of Sale Prospectus and existing on the date of hereof, (d) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Common Stock, provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of Common Stock during the Restricted Period and (ii) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the Company regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of Common Stock may be made under such plan during the Restricted Period, (e) the entry by the Company into an agreement providing for the direct or indirect acquisition of 100% of the Common Stock by a single person or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), provided such transaction is approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, and provided further that, if such transaction is not consummated, the underlying shares of Common Stock shall continue to be subject to the restrictions contained in the preceding paragraph, (f) any issuance or transfer of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock as consideration for a merger, acquisition, asset transfer or similar transaction, provided that the aggregate amount represented by all securities that the Company issues or transfers or agrees to issue or transfer pursuant to this clause (f) during the Restricted Period shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and provided further , that the Company shall cause the recipient of such securities to execute and deliver to you, on or prior to the issuance of such securities, a “lock-up” agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, (g) entry into and settlement of any accelerated share repurchase plan by the Company and (h) the grant of new equity awards under the AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan or the AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the transfer of shares in connection with the vesting, exercise or settlement of such awards and any transfer of shares pursuant to the AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. Stock Purchase Plan, provided that if the recipient of any such shares has previously delivered a “lock-up” agreement to the [Underwriter[s]/Managers] substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, such shares will be subject to the terms of such prior lock-up.

4.     Terms of Public Offering . The Selling Stockholder is advised by you that the Underwriter[s] propose[s] to make a public offering of [their respective portions of] the Shares as soon after this Agreement has become effective as in your judgment is advisable. [The Selling Stockholder is further advised by you that the Shares are to be

 

18


offered to the public at $[ Amount ] a share (the “ Public Offering Price ”) and to certain dealers selected by you at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $[ Amount ] a share under the Public Offering Price.] 3 [The Selling Stockholder is further advised by you that the Shares are to be offered to the public initially at the public offering price identified on Schedule II hereto (the “ Public Offering Price ”).] 4

5.     Payment and Delivery . Payment for the Firm Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder shall be made to the Selling Stockholder in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Firm Shares for the [respective] account[s] of the [several] Underwriter[s] at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on [ Date ], or at such other time on the same or such other date, not later than [ Date ], as shall be designated in writing by you. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the “ Closing Date .”

[Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Selling Stockholder in Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Additional Shares for the [respective] account[s] of the [several] Underwriter[s] at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date specified in the corresponding notice described in Section 3 or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event not later than [ Date ], as shall be designated in writing by you.] 5

The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as you shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the [respective] account[s] of the [several] Underwriter[s]. The Purchase Price payable by the Underwriter[s] shall be reduced by any withholding required by law.

6.     Conditions to the Underwriter[s] [s] Obligations . The obligations of the Selling Stockholder to sell the Shares to the Underwriter[s] and the [several] obligations of the Underwriter[s] to purchase and pay for the Shares on the Closing Date are subject to the following conditions:

(a)    Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date:

(i)    there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any of the securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act; and

 

  

 

3  

Note to Draft: Include for a fixed priced reoffer.

4  

Note to Draft: Include for a variable price reoffer.

5  

Note to Draft : Include for an overallotment option.

 

19


(ii)    there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the financial condition, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus that, in your judgment, (after consultation with the Company and the Selling Stockholder, if practicable) is material and adverse and that makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus.

(b)    The Underwriter[s] shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, to the effect set forth in Section 6(a)(i) above and to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.

(c)    The Underwriter[s] shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Selling Stockholder to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Selling Stockholder contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Selling Stockholder has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.

The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

(d)    The Underwriter[s] shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion and negative assurance letter of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, outside counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Annex A.

(e)    The Underwriter[s] shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Dave S. Hattem, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Annex B.

(f)    The Underwriter[s] shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, counsel for the Selling Stockholder, dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Annex C.

(g)    The Underwriter[s] shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion and disclosure letter of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriter[s], dated the Closing Date with respect to such matters as you may reasonably request.

 

20


The opinions described in Sections 6(d), 6(e) and 6(f) above shall be rendered to the Underwriter[s] at the request of the Company or the Selling Stockholder, as the case may be, and shall so state therein.

(h)    The Underwriter[s] shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter[s], from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily 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 Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than the date hereof.

(i)    The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, between you and the Selling Stockholder and the executive officers and directors of the Company listed on Schedule III hereto relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date.

(j)    The Underwriter[s] shall have received, on and as of the Closing Date, satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization (to the extent that such concept is applicable) and their good standing in such other jurisdictions as the Underwriter[s] may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication, from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions, provided that the evidence of good standing for those entities except for the Company may be as of any date from the date hereof through and including the Closing Date.

(k)    The Underwriter[s] shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as applicable, in form and substance satisfactory to you, stating, as of such date, the conclusions and findings of such individual, in his or her capacity as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, with respect to the financial information and such other matters as reasonably requested by you.

 

21


(l)    The [several] obligations of the Underwriter[s] to purchase Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the applicable Option Closing Date of the following:

(i)    a certificate, dated the Option Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, to the same effect as the certificate delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof;

(ii)    a certificate, dated the Option Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Selling Stockholder, to the same effect as the certificate delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6(c) hereof;

(iii)    an opinion and negative assurance letter of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, outside counsel for the Company, dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 6(d) hereof;

(iv)    an opinion of Dave S. Hattem, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 6(e) hereof;

(v)    an opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, counsel for the Selling Stockholder, dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 6(f) hereof;

(vi)    an opinion and disclosure letter of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriter[s], dated the Option Closing Date, relating to the Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 6(g) hereof;

(vii)    a letter dated the Option Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter[s], from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Underwriter[s] pursuant to Section 6(h) hereof; provided that the letter delivered on the Option Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date;

(viii)    a certificate, dated the Option Closing Date and signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to the same effect as the certificate delivered on the date hereof and the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6(k) hereof; and

(ix)    such other documents as you may reasonably request with respect to the good standing of the Company, the due authorization and valid issuance of the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date and other matters related to the sale of such Additional Shares.

 

22


7.     Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with [the/each] Underwriter as follows:

(a)    To furnish to you, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and to furnish to you in New York City, without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period mentioned in Section 7(d) or 7(e) below, as many copies of the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably request.

(b)    Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.

(c)    To furnish to you a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and not to use or refer to any proposed free writing prospectus to which you reasonably object.

(d)    Not to take any action that would result in [the/an] Underwriter or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Underwriter that the Underwriter otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.

(e)    If the Time of Sale Prospectus is being used to solicit offers to buy the Shares at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading, or if during such time any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Time of Sale Prospectus conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file, or if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriter[s], it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriter[s] and to any dealer upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Prospectus so that the statements in the Time of Sale Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Time of Sale Prospectus is delivered to a prospective purchaser, be misleading or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will no longer conflict with the Registration Statement, or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

 

23


(f)    If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriter[s], the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Underwriter[s], it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to [you on behalf of] the Underwriter[s] and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by [you on behalf of] the Underwriter[s] and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

(g)    To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably request, provided that in connection therewith, the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified, (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not now so subject and (iii) take any action that would subject it to services of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Shares, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

(h)    To make generally available to the Company’s security holders and to you as soon as reasonably practicable an earning statement (which need not be audited) covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including, at the Company’s option, Rule 158 of the Securities Act).

(i)     (A) To deliver to [the/each] Underwriter (or its agent), on or before the Closing Date, a copy of the certificate furnished to the Selling Stockholder with respect to the Company’s status as a “United States real property holding corporation,” dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date, as described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.897-2(h) and 1.1445-2(c)(3), and (B) to mail the required notice to the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”), as described in Treasury Regulations 1.897-2(h)(2), within thirty (30) days of providing the copy of the certificate in (A).

 

24


(j)    If the third anniversary of the initial effectiveness date of the Registration Statement occurs before all the Shares have been sold by the Underwriter[s], prior to the third anniversary to file a new shelf registration statement and to take any other action necessary to permit the public offering of the Shares to continue without interruption; references herein to the Registration Statement shall include the new registration statement that becomes effective with the Commission.

8.     Covenants of the Selling Stockholder . The Selling Stockholder covenants with [the/each] Underwriter to deliver to [the/each] Underwriter (or its agent), prior to or at the Closing Date, a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN-E, together with all required attachments to such form.

9.     Expenses . Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company and the Selling Stockholder agree to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of their obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel, the Company’s accountants and counsel for the Selling Stockholder in connection with the registration and delivery of the Shares under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriter[s] and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriter[s], including any transfer, stamp, value added or similar taxes or duties payable thereon, (iii) the cost of producing, printing and distributing any Blue Sky or Legal Investment memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares under state and/or foreign securities laws and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws and/or foreign securities laws as provided in Section 7(g) hereof or the determination of the conditions under which such registration or qualification need not be obtained in order to offer and sell Shares in such jurisdictions, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriter[s] (including local counsel in each such foreign jurisdiction) in connection with such qualification or determination and in connection with the Blue Sky or Legal Investment memorandum, (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriter[s] incurred in connection with the review and qualification of the offering of the Shares by FINRA, if any, (v) all costs and expenses incident to listing the Shares on the NYSE, (vi) the cost of printing certificates representing the Shares, (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the

 

25


Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, provided , however, that the Underwriter[s] shall pay or reimburse the Company half of the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, (ix) the document production charges and expenses associated with printing this Agreement, and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholder hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. The Selling Stockholder covenants that it will pay or cause to be paid any transfer, stamp, value added or similar taxes or duties incident to the transfer and delivery of the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder to the Underwriter[s] hereunder; provided that, the [Underwriter[s]/Managers] agrees[s] to pay New York State stock transfer tax, and the Selling Stockholder agrees to reimburse the [Underwriter[s]/Managers] for associated carrying costs if such tax payment is not rebated on the day of payment and for any portion of such tax payment not rebated. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 11 entitled “Indemnity and Contribution” and the last paragraph of Section 13 below, the Underwriter[s] will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Shares by them and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make. The provisions of this Section 9 shall not supersede or otherwise affect any agreement that the Company and the Selling Stockholder may otherwise have for the allocation of such expenses among themselves.

10.     Covenants of the Underwriter[s] . [The/Each] Underwriter [severally] covenants with the Company not to take any action that would result in the Company being required to file with the Commission under Rule 433(d) a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of [the/such] Underwriter that otherwise would not be required to be filed by the Company thereunder, but for the action of the Underwriter.

11.     Indemnity and Contribution . (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless [the/each] Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls [the/any] Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and each affiliate of [the/each] Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, any “road show” as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act (a “ road show ”) or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to [the/any] Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by [the/such] Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

 

26


(b)    The Selling Stockholder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless [the/each] Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls [the/any] Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and each affiliate of [the/each] Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, any road show or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading to the extent (and only to the extent) that such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was made in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, any issuer free writing prospectus, road show, or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with the Selling Stockholder Information; and except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to [the/any] Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by [the/such] Underwriter through you expressly for use therein. The liability of the Selling Stockholder under the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds after commissions but before other offering expenses received by the Selling Stockholder from the sale of its Shares under this Agreement.

(c)    [The/Each] Underwriter agrees[, severally and not jointly,] to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Selling Stockholder, the directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company or the Selling Stockholder within the meaning of either 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, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, any road show or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise

 

27


out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only with reference to information relating to [the/such] Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by [the/such] Underwriter through you expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus, road show or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.

(d)    In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 11(a), 11(b) or 11(c), such person (the “ indemnified party ”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “ indemnifying party ”) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party 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 party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for [the/all] Underwriter[s] and all persons, if any, who control [the/any] Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act or who are affiliates of [the/any] Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, (ii) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either such Section and (iii) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Selling Stockholder and all persons, if any, who control the Selling Stockholder within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriter[s] and such control persons and affiliates of [the/any] Underwriter, such firm shall be designated in writing by you. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company, and such directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. In the case of any such separate firm for the Selling Stockholder and such control persons of the Selling Stockholder, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Selling Stockholder. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior

 

28


written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

(e)    To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 11(a), 11(b) or 11(c) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party 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 indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party or parties on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 11(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 11(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand 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 and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Underwriter[s] on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds after commissions but before other offering expenses received by the Selling Stockholder from the offering of the Shares and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriter[s][, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus,] 6 bear to the aggregate Public Offering Price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Underwriter[s] on the other hand 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 the Selling Stockholder or by the Underwriter[s] and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. [The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 11 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.] 7 The liability of the Selling Stockholder under the contribution agreement contained in this paragraph shall be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds after commissions but before other offering expenses received by the Selling Stockholder from the sale of its Shares under this Agreement. The Selling Stockholder shall not be liable for contribution under this Section 11(e) except under such circumstances as the Selling Stockholder would have been liable for indemnification under Section 11(b) above irrespective of whether such indemnification were enforceable under applicable law.

  

 

6  

Note to Draft: Include for a fixed priced reoffer.

7  

Note to Draft: Include for multiple underwriters.

 

29


(f)    The Selling Stockholder, the Company and the Underwriter[s] agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 11 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 Section 11(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in Section 11(d) shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 11, [the/no] Underwriter shall [not] be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that [the/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 remedies provided for in this Section 11 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

(g)    The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 11 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the Selling Stockholder contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of [the/any] Underwriter, any person controlling [the/any] Underwriter or any affiliate of [the/any] Underwriter, the Selling Stockholder or any person controlling the Selling Stockholder, or the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.

12.     Termination . The Underwriter[s] may terminate this Agreement by notice given by you to the Company and the Selling Stockholder, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any national securities exchange, (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by Federal or New York State authorities or (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and which, individually or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in your judgment (after consultation with the Company and the Selling Stockholder, if practicable), impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus.

13.     Effectiveness[; Defaulting Underwriters] . This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

 

30


[If, on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to purchase the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the number of Shares that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 13 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number of Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Shares and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to you, the Company and the Selling Stockholder for the purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter, the Company or the Selling Stockholder. In any such case either you, the Company or the Selling Stockholder shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement, in the Time of Sale Prospectus, in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. If, on an Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the aggregate number of Additional Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date or (ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.] 8

If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriter[s, or any of them], because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Selling Stockholder to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Selling Stockholder shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Selling Stockholder will reimburse the Underwriter[s or such Underwriters as have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves] for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by [the/such] Underwriter[s] in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.

 

 

8  

Note to Draft: Include for multiple underwriters.

 

31


14.     Entire Agreement . (a) This Agreement, together with any contemporaneous written agreements and any prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement) that relate to the offering of the Shares, represents the entire agreement between the Company and the Selling Stockholder, on the one hand, and the Underwriter[s], on the other, with respect to the preparation of any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, the conduct of the offering, and the purchase and sale of the Shares.

(b)    The Company acknowledges that in connection with the offering of the Shares: (i) the Underwriter[s] [has/have] acted at arm’s length, [is/are] not [an] agent[s] of, and owe no fiduciary duties to, the Company or any other person, (ii) the Underwriter[s] owe[s] the Company only those duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement and prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement), if any, and (iii) the Underwriter[s] may have interests that differ from those of the Company. The Company waives to the full extent permitted by applicable law any claims it may have against the Underwriter[s] arising from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the offering of the Shares.

15.     Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

16.     Applicable Law . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

17.     Submission to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agents for Service . (a) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or United States Federal court sitting in The City of New York (the “ Specified Courts ”) over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the offering of the Shares (each, a “ Related Proceeding ”). Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Related Proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such Related Proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

(b) The Selling Stockholder hereby irrevocably appoints Corporation Service Company, with offices at 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 210, New York, NY 10036-8401, as its agent for service of process in any Related Proceeding and agrees that service of process in any such Related Proceeding may be made upon it at the office of such agent. The Selling Stockholder waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. The Selling Stockholder represents and warrants that such agent has agreed to act as the Selling Stockholder’s agent for service of process, and the Selling Stockholder agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect.

 

32


18.     Headings . The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.

19.     Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and effective only upon receipt and if to the Underwriter[s] shall be delivered, mailed or sent to you in care of: [ Address and Attention ]; if to the Company shall be delivered, mailed or sent to Dave S. Hattem, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104, with a copy to Peter J. Loughran, Debevoise and Plimpton LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022 and if to the Selling Stockholder shall be delivered, mailed or sent to Helen Browne, Group General Counsel, 25 avenue Matignon, 75008 Paris, France, with a copy to Peter J. Loughran, Debevoise and Plimpton LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

20.     Compliance with the USA Patriot Act. In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriter[s] [is/are] required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies [its/their respective] clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of [its/their respective] clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriter[s] to properly identify its clients.

21.     No Voting. Without limiting the applicability of any other provision of this Agreement, the Underwriter[s] will purchase any Shares purchased hereunder in the ordinary course of [its/their] activities as broker-dealer[s] and not with the purpose or intent, directly or indirectly through any affiliate, of exercising control over the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In furtherance of the foregoing, [the/each] Underwriter agrees that for so long as it owns any of the Shares purchased by it hereunder ( a ) it, directly or indirectly through any affiliate, will not exercise any voting rights associated with the Shares purchased by it hereunder, to the extent such exercise would give rise to a presumption of control under any applicable insurance law or regulation or trigger any other regulatory approval requirement, without first having obtained any required regulatory approval; ( b ) to the extent it, directly or indirectly through any affiliate, exercises any voting rights associated with the Shares purchased by it hereunder, it and any such affiliates will vote all such Shares in the same proportion as the shares of common stock or other voting securities of the Company voted by all other holders of common stock or such other voting securities of the Company and ( c ) it will not sell the Shares purchased by it hereunder to any purchaser if the number of Shares sold to such purchaser would exceed [24.5] million shares, unless approved by the Company.

22.     Recognition of U.S. Special Resolution Regimes. (a) In the event that [the/any] Underwriter [that] is a Covered Entity [and] becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from [the/such] Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

 

33


(b) In the event that [the/any] Underwriter [that] is a Covered Entity [and it] or a BHC Act Affiliate of [the/such] Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against [the/such] Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

As used in this Section 22:

BHC Act Affiliate ” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).

Covered Entity ” means any of the following:

(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Default Right ” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

U.S. Special Resolution Regime ” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

34


Very truly yours,
AXA EQUITABLE HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[ Signature Page to the Underwriting Agreement ]


Executed as of the date hereof by AXA S.A., the
      Selling Stockholder, in [New York, New York]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[ Signature Page to the Underwriting Agreement ]


Accepted as of the date hereof

[[ Names of Underwriters ]

 

Acting

severally on behalf of themselves and the several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto]

 

[ Name of Underwriter ]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[

 

[ Name of Underwriter ]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[ Name of Underwriter ]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

]

[ Signature Page to the Underwriting Agreement ]


SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriter

   Number of
Firm
Shares To
Be
Purchased
     Number of
Additional
Shares to be
Purchased if
Maximum
Option
Exercised
 
[ Names of Underwriter ]              
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total:

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

II-1


SCHEDULE II

Time of Sale Prospectus

 

1.

Basic Prospectus dated [ Date ]

 

2.

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated [ Date ]

 

3.

Public offering price: [$[ Price] per share] 9 [The price per Share paid by each applicable investor.] 10

 

4.

Number of Shares: [ Number ]

 

 

9  

Note to Draft: Include for a fixed price reoffer.

10  

Note to Draft: Include for a variable price reoffer.

 

II-1


SCHEDULE III

Persons Delivering Lock-up Agreements

AXA S.A.

Thomas Buberl

George Stansfield

Mark Pearson

Seth Bernstein

Gérald Harlin

Nick Lane

Anders Malmström

Dave Hattem

Jeffrey Hurd

Kristi Matus

Bertram Scott

Charles Stonehill

Dan Kaye

Ramon de Oliviera

 

III-1


SCHEDULE IV

Significant Subsidiaries

AllianceBernstein L.P.

AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company

AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC

 

IV-1


Annex A-I

Form of Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Counsel to the Company

[Date]

[Addressee(s)]

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special New York counsel to AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the sale today by AXA S.A. (the “ Selling Stockholder ”) of [●] shares (the “[ Firm] Shares ”) of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated [●], (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), among the Company, the Selling Stockholder and you, as underwriter[s] in the offering (the “ Underwriter[s] ”). [The Underwriter[s] [has]/[have] exercised [its]/[their] to purchase from the Selling Stockholder [●] additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 3 of the Underwriting Agreement (together with the Firm Shares, the “ Shares ”).] We are delivering this letter to you pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Underwriting Agreement.

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings: The term “ DGCL ” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as in effect on the date hereof. The term “ Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on the business, operations, property or financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The term “ 1940 Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof. The term “ Prospectus ” means the base prospectus, dated [●], relating to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-[●]), filed as part of such registration statement, as supplemented by, and together with, the final prospectus supplement, dated [●] (the “ Prospectus Supplement ”), relating to the Shares, in the form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. The term “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof. The term “ Preliminary Prospectus Supplement ” means the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated [●], relating to the Shares, in the form filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.

In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have ( a ) examined and relied on the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Underwriting Agreement, ( b ) examined and relied on such corporate or other

 

A-I-1


organizational documents and records of the Company and its subsidiaries and such certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and its subsidiaries and other persons as we have deemed appropriate for the purposes of such opinions, ( c ) examined and relied as to factual matters upon, and have assumed the accuracy of, the statements made in the certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and its subsidiaries and other persons delivered to us and the representations and warranties contained in or made pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and ( d ) made such investigations of law as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for such opinions.

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed, with your permission, without independent investigation or inquiry, ( i ) the authenticity and completeness of all documents that we examined, ( ii ) the genuineness of all signatures on all documents that we examined, ( iii ) the conformity to authentic originals and completeness of documents examined by us that are certified, conformed, reproduction, photostatic or other copies and ( iv ) the legal capacity of all natural persons executing documents.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the assumptions, qualifications and limitations hereinafter set forth, we are of the opinion that:

1.    The Company ( a ) is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and ( b ) has the corporate power and authority to conduct its business as described in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus.

2.    The Company has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement.

3.    The Company has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution and delivery of and performance of its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement.

4.    The Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company.

5. The authorized capital stock of the Company is as stated in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus under the heading “Description of Capital Stock—General.”

6.    The Shares being sold to the Underwriter[s] today have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable under the DGCL.

7.    The sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholder is not subject to preemptive or similar subscription rights arising under the DGCL or the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company.

 

A-I-2


8.    The statements in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus under the heading “Description of Capital Stock,” insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company, are accurate in all material respects.

9.    No consent or authorization of, approval by, notice to, or filing with, any United States Federal, New York State or (insofar as the DGCL is concerned) Delaware governmental authority is required under any United States Federal or New York State statute, rule or regulation known by us to be applicable to the Company or the DGCL to be obtained, made or done on or prior to the date hereof by the Company for the execution and delivery by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement; except for any consents, authorizations, approvals, notices and filings that have been obtained, made or done and are in full force and effect and those consents, authorizations, approvals, notices and filings that, individually or in the aggregate, if not obtained, made or done would not to our knowledge have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that we express no opinion in this paragraph 9 with respect to United States Federal or state securities laws.

10.    The execution and delivery by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement did not, and the performance by the Company of its obligations in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement will not, violate ( a ) the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company or ( b ) any United States Federal or New York State statute, rule or regulation known by us to be applicable to the Company or the DGCL; except, in the case of clause (b), for such violations that to our knowledge would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that we express no opinion in this paragraph 10 with respect to United States Federal or state securities laws.

11.     The Company is not required to be registered as an “investment company” (as defined in the 1940 Act) under the 1940 Act.

12.    Subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus, the statements of United States Federal income tax law under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus, as they relate to the Shares, are accurate in all material respects.

In rendering the opinion set forth in paragraph 6, we have assumed that the consideration required by the resolutions of the board of directors of the Company authorizing the issuance of all of the issued shares of Common Stock has been received in full by the Company.

Our opinions set forth in paragraphs 9 and 10 as to the performance by the Company of its obligations in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement are based solely upon the facts and circumstances as they exist on the date hereof and are rendered as if such obligations were performed as they exist under such facts and circumstances on the date hereof.

 

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We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York, the DGCL and the Federal laws of the United States of America, each as in effect on the date hereof, in each case that in our experience are generally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement without regard to the particular nature of the business conducted by the Company or the Selling Stockholder. In particular (and without limiting the generality of the foregoing), we express no opinion as to ( a ) the laws of any country (other than the Federal laws of the United States of America), ( b ) the effect of such laws (whether limiting, prohibitive or otherwise) on any of the rights or obligations of the Company or of any other party to or beneficiary of the Underwriting Agreement or ( c ) whether the choice of the law of the State of New York as the governing law in the Underwriting Agreement would be given effect by any court or other governmental authority other than a New York State court. We have assumed, with your permission, that the execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by each of the parties thereto and the performance of their respective obligations thereunder will not be illegal or unenforceable or violate any fundamental public policy under applicable law (other than the laws of the State of New York and the Federal laws of the United States of America), and that no such party has entered therein with the intent of avoiding or a view to violating applicable law.

The opinions expressed herein are solely for your benefit and, without our prior written consent, neither our opinions nor this opinion letter may be relied upon by any other person or disclosed to any other person. This opinion letter is limited to, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond, the matters expressly stated herein. The opinions expressed herein are rendered only as of the date hereof, and we assume no responsibility to advise you of facts, circumstances, changes in law, or other events or developments that hereafter may occur or be brought to our attention and that may alter, affect or modify the opinions expressed herein.

Very truly yours,

 

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Annex A-II

Form of Disclosure Letter of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Counsel to the Company

[Date]

[Addressee(s)]

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special New York counsel to AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the sale today by AXA S.A. (the “ Selling Stockholder ”) of [●] shares (the “[ Firm] Shares ”) of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated [●] (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), among the Company, the Selling Stockholder and you, as the underwriter[s] in the offering (the “ Underwriter[s] ”). [The Underwriter[s] [has]/[have] exercised [its]/[their] option to purchase from the Selling Stockholder [●] additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 3 of the Underwriting Agreement (the “ Option Shares ” and, together with the Firm Shares, the “ Shares ”).] We are delivering this letter to you pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Underwriting Agreement.

In so acting, we have reviewed the registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-[●]) of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof (the “ 1933 Act ”), the Time of Sale Information (as defined below) and the final prospectus supplement, dated [●] (the “ Prospectus Supplement ”), relating to the Shares, in the form filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act. As used herein, the term “ Registration Statement ” means such registration statement, as amended, on the date such registration statement is deemed to be effective pursuant to Rule 430B under the 1933 Act for purposes of liability under Section 11 of the 1933 Act of the Company and the Underwriter[s] (which, for purposes hereof, is [●], the “ Effective Date ”), including the information deemed to be a part of such registration statement as of the Effective Date pursuant to Rule 430B under the 1933 Act. The term “ Base Prospectus ” means the basic prospectus, dated [●], filed as part of the Registration Statement. The term “ Preliminary Prospectus Supplement ” means the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated [●], relating to the Shares, in the form filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act. The term “ Time of Sale Information ” means, collectively, the Base Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the other information set forth on Schedule II to the Underwriting Agreement. The term “ Prospectus ” means the Base Prospectus as supplemented by, and together with, the

 

A-II-1


Prospectus Supplement. As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement,” “Prospectus Supplement” and “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement” include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act as of the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the date of the Prospectus Supplement or the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, as the case may be.

We have reviewed and discussed the contents of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus with certain officers and employees of the Company and the Selling Stockholder, the Company’s and the Selling Stockholder’s internal counsel, representatives of the Underwriter[s], Underwriter[’s]/[s’] counsel and representatives of the Company’s independent accountants. Other than to the limited extent set forth in paragraphs 8 and 12 of our opinion letter, dated the date hereof, addressed to the Underwriter[s], we have not ourselves checked the accuracy, completeness or fairness of, or otherwise verified, and are not passing upon and assume no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of, the statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information, the Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing and have made no independent check or verification thereof. We have assumed the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 1(a) of the Underwriting Agreement as to its status as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act.

On the basis of the foregoing, we advise you as follows:

(i)    The Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, and the Prospectus, as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement, appeared to us on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements as to form of the 1933 Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, except that we express no view as to ( a ) the documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; ( b ) the financial statements, the related notes and schedules, and other financial and accounting data or information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; or ( c ) Regulation S-T.

(ii)    No facts have come to our attention that have caused us to believe that ( a ) the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, 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 not misleading; ( b ) the Time of Sale Information, as of [●] p.m. New York City time on [●], contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted 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; or ( c ) the Prospectus, as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement and as of the date and time of the delivery of this letter, contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits 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; except that in each case we express no belief as to [( 1 )] the financial statements, the

 

A-II-2


related notes and schedules, and other financial and accounting data or information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus[; or ( 2 ) the report of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting or the auditor’s attestation report on internal control over financial reporting contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus].

(iii) The Registration Statement became effective upon filing under the 1933 Act, and, based exclusively on our review of the SEC’s Internet site page of stop orders at http://www.sec.gov/litigation/stoporders.shtml, to our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before the SEC.

This letter is solely for your benefit and, without our prior written consent, neither our beliefs nor this letter may be relied upon by any other person or disclosed to any other person. This letter is limited to the matters stated herein and no views are implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein. The beliefs expressed herein are rendered only as of the date hereof, and we assume no responsibility to advise you of facts, circumstances, changes in law or other events or developments that hereafter may occur or be brought to our attention and that may alter, affect or modify the beliefs expressed herein.

Very truly yours,

 

A-II-3


Annex B

Form of Opinion of Dave S. Hattem, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company

[Date]

[Addressee(s)]

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of [●] (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), among AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “ Company ”), you, as the underwriter[s] in the offering (the “ Underwriter[s] ”) and AXA S.A. (the “ Selling Stockholder ”), relating to the sale today by the Selling Stockholder of [●] shares (the “ Firm Shares ”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”). [The Underwriter[s] [has]/[have] exercised [its]/[their] option to purchase from the Selling Stockholder [●] additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 3 of the Underwriting Agreement (together with the Firm Shares, the “ Shares ”).] Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Underwriting Agreement.

I am Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of the Company and have acted for the Company in connection with the Underwriting Agreement.

This opinion is delivered pursuant to Section 6(e) of the Underwriting Agreement.

In rendering the opinions expressed below, I, or other members of the Company’s Law Department, have examined ( a ) the resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on May 23, 2019 and the resolutions duly adopted by the Shelf Pricing Committee of the Board of Directors on [●], approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Underwriting Agreement, and authorizing a specified person or persons to execute and deliver the Underwriting Agreement and the documents effecting the transactions contemplated thereunder to which the Company is a party on its behalf, ( b ) the Underwriting Agreement including the schedules thereto, and ( c ) originals or conformed copies of such corporate records, agreements and instruments of the Company and its Subsidiaries, certificates of public officials and of officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and such other documents and records, and such matters of law, as I have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents

 

B-1


submitted to me as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to me either as photostatic, electronic or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of all such latter documents. In addition, I have assumed that the Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each party thereto (other than the Company).

The opinions expressed below are limited to the laws of the State of New York and the State of Delaware published and in effect on the date of this opinion.

In rendering the opinions below, I have assumed as to each person who is a party to the Underwriting Agreement:

 

(i)

that such person (other than the Company) is duly organized, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization;

 

(ii)

that such person (other than the Company) has full power and authority (corporate and otherwise) to execute, deliver and perform the Underwriting Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby;

 

(iii)

that such person (other than the Company) has duly executed the Underwriting Agreement;

 

(iv)

except as expressly provided in opinion 2 below, that, in the case of any such person (other than the Company with respect to Delaware law) ( a ) the execution, delivery and performance by such person of the Underwriting Agreement to which it is a party or by which it may be bound and ( b ) the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby

 

  (1)

have been duly authorized by all necessary action (corporate or otherwise) and do not ( A ) violate or conflict with any such person’s certificate of incorporation, By-laws or other constitutive documents or ( B ) violate any law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to such person; and

 

  (2)

do not ( A ) violate any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or permit applicable to such person or ( B ) violate, conflict with, result in the breach of, or cause a default under, any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, contract or other agreement, instrument or document to which such person is a party or by which it may be bound;

 

B-2


(v)

that, in the case of any such person (other than the Company with respect to Delaware law), no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or action by, and no notice of filing, registration or qualification with, any court, governmental authority or regulatory body or any other person is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by such person of the Underwriting Agreement;

 

(vi)

that, in the case of any such person, the Underwriting Agreement constitutes valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such person, enforceable against such person according to its terms under the law applicable to such documents and are not contrary to any applicable public policy or mandatory rules;

 

(vii)

that, in the case of any such person, the Underwriting Agreement, ( A ) has been validly subjected to the governing law of such agreement and ( B ) except with respect to the Company, has been duly executed by an authorized representative of such person; and

 

(viii)

that, where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it will be or has been executed in the form of that draft, and where a number of drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been marked or otherwise drawn to our attention.

Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:

 

1.

The Company has the power and authority and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its assets and carry on its business as disclosed in the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus. The Company is duly qualified and licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of every jurisdiction outside of the jurisdiction of its incorporation where such qualification or license is required, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

2.

The execution and delivery by the Company of and the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement and the consummation of the transactions therein contemplated do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other written agreement or similar instrument to which, to my knowledge, the Company is a party or by which, to my knowledge, the Company is bound or to which, to my knowledge, any of the property or assets of the Company is subject, in each case other than such conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or adversely affect the validity

 

B-3


  or performance by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement; nor will such action result in any violation of ( a ) the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company, ( b ) any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or, to my knowledge, any of their respective properties or ( c ) any existing judgment, order or decree known to me of any United States Federal, New York State or (insofar as General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is concerned) Delaware court or other governmental authority known to me to be binding upon the Company, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) above other than such violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or adversely affect the validity or performance of the Underwriting Agreement; provided , that no opinion is given herein with respect to ( i ) the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations issued pursuant to each such act, or any order, rule or regulation made or established by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or ( ii ) any state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the shares of Common Stock by the Underwriter[s].

 

3.

Except as set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus and Prospectus, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending against, or to the best of my knowledge after reasonable inquiry, threatened against, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or its or their property before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official which, individually or in the aggregate, ( a ) reasonably would be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or ( b ) in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of the Underwriting Agreement.

The present opinion is, however, subject to the following reservations:

 

(a)

Enforcement may be limited by federal or state laws relating to insolvency, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting the rights of creditors.

 

(b)

Enforcement may be subject to general principles of equity and, as such, specific performance and injunctive relief, being equitable remedies, may not be available.

I am a member of the bar of the State of New York and do not express any opinion as to any matters governed by any laws other than the law of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, in the case of Delaware law, to the extent that a New York lawyer exercising customary professional diligence would reasonably be expected to recognize as being applicable to the Company, the Underwriting Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement.

 

B-4


This opinion is addressed to you solely for your benefit and that of your respective successors, assigns and transferees in connection with the Underwriting Agreement. It may not, without my prior written consent, be relied on for any other purpose or be disclosed to or relied upon by any person other than the Underwriter[s], subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and conditions contained herein. You may, however, provide a copy to your legal advisers and to any of your permitted assignees or transferees under the Underwriting Agreement.

This opinion speaks as of the date hereof and is based on factual matters in existence as of the date hereof and laws and regulations in effect on the date hereof, and no opinion is rendered except as expressly stated in paragraphs 1 through 3 above. I assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should such factual matters change or should such laws or regulations be changed by legislative or regulatory action, judicial decision or otherwise or upon the discovery subsequent to the date of this opinion of factual information not previously known to me pertaining to the events occurring prior to the date of this opinion.

Yours faithfully,

 

B-5


Annex C-I

Form of US Law Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Counsel to the Selling Stockholder

[Date]

[Addressee(s)]

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special New York counsel to AXA S.A., a société anonyme organized under the laws of France (the “ Selling Stockholder ”), in connection with the sale by the Selling Stockholder today of [●] shares (the “ [Firm] Shares ”) of the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the “ Company ”), pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated [●] (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), among the Company, the Selling Stockholder and you, as underwriter[s] in the offering (the “ Underwriter[s] ”). [The Underwriter[s] [has]/[have] exercised [its]/[their] option to purchase from the Selling Stockholder [●] additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 3 of the Underwriting Agreement (together with the Firm Shares, the “ Shares ”).] We are delivering this letter to you pursuant to Section 6(f) of the Underwriting Agreement.

As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings: The term “ Applicable Laws ” means the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”) and the Federal laws of the United States of America, each as in effect on the date hereof, in each case that in our experience are generally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement (other than United States Federal or state securities laws, antifraud laws, fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws and tax laws) without regard to the particular nature of the business conducted by the Company or the Selling Stockholder. “ Governmental Approval ” means any consent or authorization of, approval by, notice to or filing with, any New York State, Delaware (insofar as the DGCL is concerned) or United States Federal court or governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Selling Stockholder under any Applicable Law to be obtained or made on or prior to the date hereof by the Selling Stockholder pursuant to any Applicable Law, other than those consents, authorizations, approvals, notices and filings that, individually or in the aggregate, if not made, obtained or done, would not to our knowledge have a Material Adverse Effect. “ Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on the ability of the Selling Stockholder to perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement. “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof.

 

C-I-1


In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have ( a ) examined and relied on the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Underwriting Agreement, ( b ) examined and relied on such corporate or other organizational documents and records of the Selling Stockholder and such certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Selling Stockholder and other persons as we have deemed appropriate for the purposes of such opinions, ( c ) examined and relied as to factual matters upon, and have assumed the accuracy of, the statements made in the certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Selling Stockholder and other persons delivered to us and the representations and warranties contained in or made pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and ( d ) made such investigations of law as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for such opinions.

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed, with your permission, without independent investigation or inquiry, ( i ) the authenticity and completeness of all documents that we examined, ( ii ) the genuineness of all signatures on all documents that we examined, ( iii ) the conformity to authentic originals and completeness of documents examined by us that are certified, conformed, reproduction, photostatic or other copies, ( iv ) the legal capacity of all natural persons executing documents, ( v ) the power and authority of all parties to enter into and perform their respective obligations under the Underwriting Agreement, ( vi ) except to the extent expressly set forth in paragraph 1 below, the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by all parties thereto and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties, ( vii ) that all parties to the Underwriting Agreement are duly organized and are validly existing in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, if applicable, and that all parties to the Underwriting Agreement have complied with all aspects of applicable laws of all jurisdictions in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, ( viii ) the enforceability of the Underwriting Agreement against all respective parties thereto and ( ix ) that the jurisdiction of The Depository Trust Company, as securities intermediary (“ DTC ”), for purposes of Article 8 of the UCC, is the State of New York.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the assumptions, qualifications and limitations hereinafter set forth, we are of the opinion that:

1.    The Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Selling Stockholder to the extent that execution and delivery thereof are governed by the laws of the State of New York.

2.    The execution and delivery by the Selling Stockholder of the Underwriting Agreement did not, and the performance by the Selling Stockholder of its obligations in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement will not, violate any Applicable Law known by us to be applicable to the Selling Stockholder, except for such violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.    No Governmental Approval is required to be obtained or made on or prior to the date hereof by the Selling Stockholder for the execution and delivery by the Selling Stockholder of the Underwriting Agreement or the performance by the Selling Stockholder of its obligations in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

 

C-I-2


4.    Assuming that [each]/[the] Underwriter acquires its interest in the Shares it has purchased today from the Selling Stockholder without notice (within the meaning of Section 8-105 of the UCC) of an adverse claim (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(1) of the UCC) to such Shares or any security entitlement in respect thereof, upon ( i ) payment of the purchase price by [such]/[the] Underwriter for the Shares being sold by the Selling Stockholder, ( ii ) delivery of such Shares, as directed by the Underwriter[s], to Cede & Co. (“Cede”) or such other nominee as may be designated by DTC, ( iii ) registration of such Shares in the name of Cede or such other nominee and ( iv ) the crediting of such Shares to a securities account or securities accounts of [such]/[the] Underwriter maintained with DTC in accordance with Section 8-501 of the UCC, then [such]/[the] Underwriter will have acquired a security entitlement (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the UCC) to such shares of Common Stock purchased by [such]/[the] Underwriter under Section 8-501 of the UCC, and no action based on any adverse claim (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(1) of the UCC) may be asserted against [such]/[the] Underwriter with respect to such security entitlement. The opinions expressed in this paragraph 4 are limited to the effect of Article 8 of the UCC.

We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Applicable Laws. In particular (and without limiting the generality of the foregoing), we express no opinion as to ( a ) the laws of any country (other than the Federal laws of the United States of America), ( b ) the effect of such laws (whether limiting, prohibitive or otherwise) on any of the rights or obligations of the Selling Stockholder or of any other party to or beneficiary of the Underwriting Agreement or ( c ) whether the choice of the law of the State of New York as the governing law in the Underwriting Agreement would be given effect by any court or other governmental authority other than a New York State court. We have assumed, with your permission, that the execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by each of the parties thereto and the performance of their respective obligations thereunder will not be illegal or unenforceable or violate any fundamental public policy under applicable law (other than the laws of the State of New York and the Federal laws of the United States of America), and that no such party has entered therein with the intent of avoiding or a view to violating applicable law.

The opinions expressed herein are solely for your benefit and, without our prior written consent, neither our opinions nor this opinion letter may be relied upon by any other person or disclosed to any other person. This opinion letter is limited to, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond, the matters expressly stated herein. The opinions expressed herein are rendered only as of the date hereof, and we assume no responsibility to advise you of facts, circumstances, changes in law, or other events or developments that hereafter may occur or be brought to our attention and that may alter, affect or modify the opinions expressed herein.

Very truly yours,

 

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Annex C-II

Form of French Law Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Counsel to the Selling Stockholder

To:

[J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

as Representatives of the several Underwriters

named in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

1585 Broadway

New York, New York 10036

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013]

(The “ Underwriters ”)

Sale and offer by AXA of

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. shares

We have acted as special French legal advisers to AXA S.A., a société anonyme à conseil d administration organized under the laws of France (the “ Company ”), in connection with the sale today by the Company of [●] shares of the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the “ Firm Shares ”). [The Underwriters have exercised their option to purchase from the Company [●] additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section [3] of the Underwriting Agreement (the “ Additional Shares ”, and together with the Firm Shares, the “ Shares ”).]

 

C-II-1


The letter is furnished to you pursuant to Section [6(f)] of the underwriting agreement dated June [●], 2019 (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) entered into among the Company, as Selling Stockholder, AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. and the Underwriters in relation to the [Firm] Shares. We have taken instructions solely from the Company. The delivery of this letter to the Underwriters shall not create any client-attorney relationship between the Underwriters and ourselves.

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

1.

Documents

For the purpose of this opinion, we have examined the following documents:

 

  1.1

a copy of the executed Underwriting Agreement;

 

  1.2

a copy of the articles of association ( statuts ) of the Company dated as at April 24, 2019;

 

  1.3

a registration certificate ( extrait K-Bis ) dated June [●], 2019 and a solvency certificate ( certificat n é gatif de redressement judiciaire - liquidation judiciaire et de proc é dure de sauvegarde ) dated June [●], 2019 issued by the Greffe du Tribunal de commerce de Paris relating to the Company;

 

  1.4

a certified copy of an extract of the minutes of the resolutions of the conseil d administration of the Company held on April 24, 2019;

 

  1.5

[a copy of the decision of [●], dated [●], 2019, confirming pricing;]

 

  1.6

[a copy of the power of attorney dated May 10, 2019 signed by Thomas Buberl, Directeur G é n é ral of the Company, and authorizing Gérald Harlin, George Stansfield, Helen Browne, Nicolas Leclercq, Damien Leroux, Mehdi Bribech, Ngoc An Dinh and/or Irina Buchmann to execute the Underwriting Agreement on behalf of the Company, and a copy of the power of attorney dated May 13, 2019 signed by Thomas Buberl, Directeur Général of the Company, and authorizing Gérald Harlin and George Stansfield to, inter alia , determine to launch the offering and sale of the [Firm] Shares and agree to the public offering price and the Underwriters’ discount, commission and related fees (collectively, the “ Powers of Attorney ”);] and

 

  1.7

[a copy of the letter dated June [●], 2019 from the Underwriters to AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. and the Company, under which the Underwriters notify the Company that they exercise pursuant to Section [3] of the Underwriting Agreement the option to purchase the Additional Shares.]

 

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2.

French Law

We are delivering the present opinion in our capacity as avocats au Barreau de Paris . The opinions expressed below are limited to French law, as in force in the Republic of France on the business day prior to the date hereof, and as interpreted by the Cour de cassation and the Conseil d’Etat in their decisions published before the aforementioned date. For the purpose of this opinion, we have not made any investigation of the law of any jurisdiction other than France (or of the effects of the law of any jurisdiction other than France on this opinion) and we have only examined those French law issues that in our experience are generally applicable to transactions of this type. This opinion is given on the basis that it will be governed by and construed in accordance with French law. Words appearing herein in the French language have the meaning ascribed to them under French law and prevail over their translation into English set out herein. The terms “law” and “laws” refer to all laws and published regulations which apply to the Company in France on the business day prior to the date hereof.

 

3.

Scope of Legal Opinion

This opinion is strictly confined to the French law issues expressly stated in Section 5 below (interpreted in the context of the assumptions stated in Section 4 below and the qualifications and observations stated in Section 6 below) and may not be construed to relate, even indirectly, to any other matters relating to the Company, the Underwriting Agreement, the other documents mentioned in Section 1 or the transactions contemplated in the Underwriting Agreement or such other documents. We express no opinion on matters of fact (such as the compliance with the intérêt social of a company or the qualification of opération courante of a related party transaction), on the relevance or reasonableness of any statements of intention or opinion contained in the Underwriting Agreement or on the treatment of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement with regard to any applicable capitalization or other prudential rule. We have assumed that any matters which are or could be material in the context of our delivery of this opinion have been disclosed to us.

 

4.

Assumptions

In delivering the opinions set forth below, we have, without enquiry, assumed that:

 

  4.1

all copy documents referred to above conform to their originals, all originals are genuine and complete, have not been subject to any amendment or modification, and the factual information contained therein are correct at the date hereof;

 

  4.2

all documents or parts of documents expressed to be governed by a foreign law are legal, valid and binding under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction and enforceable in accordance with their terms under the applicable governing laws;

 

  4.3

the choices of foreign laws to govern the Underwriting Agreement have been made or are made for reasons other than to contravene mandatory provisions of French law;

 

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  4.4

the conclusion of the Underwriting Agreement is unaffected by fraud, coercion, duress or undue influence on the part of any of the parties, their respective directors, employees, agents and advisers;

 

  4.5

the entering into the Underwriting Agreement is adequately consistent with the corporate interest ( intérêt social ) of the Company;

 

  4.6

the Underwriting Agreement has been negotiated in good faith by all persons or entities that are a party thereto and any party to the Underwriting Agreement that had knowledge of any information of major importance for the consent of any other party has duly informed such other party;

 

  4.7

each signature or seal in connection with the Underwriting Agreement was made by the person or entity indicated in the relevant document as having made it;

 

  4.8

each party to the Underwriting Agreement (other than the Company) has duly and validly executed and entered into the Underwriting Agreement in accordance with all applicable laws;

 

  4.9

the execution of the Underwriting Agreement by each of the parties thereto (other than the Company) and the performance by such parties of such agreement, do not contravene their constitutive documents nor any applicable law;

 

  4.10

all signatures on the executed documents which, or copies of which, we have examined are genuine and the Underwriting Agreement has been signed on behalf of each party (other than the Company) by a duly authorized signatory under a valid authorization in accordance with applicable law;

 

  4.11

each entity (other than the Company) expressed to be a party to the Underwriting Agreement is a validly existing legal entity with legal personality in accordance with all applicable laws and has been validly incorporated with full power to carry out its business and to execute and perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement to which it is a party;

 

  4.12

there are no contractual, judicial or similar restrictions binding on the Company or facts that have not been disclosed to us which would affect the conclusions in this opinion;

 

  4.13

the Company is not in a state of cessation des paiements (inability to meet its liabilities due and payable with its immediately available assets) within the meaning of article L. 631-1 of the French Code de commerce ;

 

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  4.14

the members of the conseil d’administration , shareholders, managers or members of any committee of the Company do not have a direct or indirect interest with, and are not directors, chairmen, managers or shareholders or member of any committee of the Underwriters, within the meaning of article L. 225-38 of the French Code de commerce ;

 

  4.15

the meeting of the conseil d’administration of the Company held on April 24, 2019 has been validly convened and held, and the conseil d’administration duly deliberated on all the matters set out in the agenda for this meeting;

 

  4.16

the registration certificate ( extrait K-Bis ) and the solvency certificate ( certificat négatif de redressement judiciaire - liquidation judiciaire et de procédure de sauvegarde ) of the Company are up-to-date;

 

  4.17

[the Powers of Attorney were signed by the person named in Section 1.6 above as the signatory of such Powers of Attorney and have not been modified or revoked as at the date hereof;]

 

  4.18

the Company conducts its business in accordance with the corporate purpose set forth in its articles of association ( statuts ), is in compliance with all applicable laws, orders, judgments or injunctions applicable to it and its properties and possesses all certificates, licenses or permits issued by, and has made all filings with, the appropriate regulatory agency, authority or body which are necessary to conduct its business;

 

  4.19

the factual information contained in the first two paragraphs of the Underwriting Agreement and in Schedule [I] and Schedule [II] to the Underwriting Agreement is correct at the date hereof;

 

  4.20

without any independent verification or investigation of the documents we have examined, all representations and warranties made in the Underwriting Agreement (other than those in respect of which we express a specific opinion in Section 5 below) are complete, accurate and up-to-date by reference to the circumstances prevailing as at the date hereof;

 

  4.21

there is no other agreement or undertaking, whether oral or in writing, that could change or affect the parties’ respective obligations under the Underwriting Agreement;

 

  4.22

the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement are bona fide transactions entered into at arm’s length for proper commercial purposes;

 

  4.23

the [Firm] Shares have been validly subscribed and paid for in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement; and

 

  4.24

the appointment of each individual in charge of the management, the administration or the direction ( personnes chargées de gérer, d ’administrer ou de diriger ) of the Company is valid and conforms to all requirements set out by all applicable laws; all consents, formalities or licenses have been obtained and are being complied with for them to duly perform their mandate.

 

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5.

Legal Opinion

Based on the documents mentioned in Section 1 and the assumptions described above, and subject to the qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that, as at the date hereof:

 

  5.1

Pursuant to the articles of association (statuts), registration certificate (extrait K-Bis) and the solvency certificate (certificat négatif de redressement judiciaire - liquidation judiciaire et de procédure de sauvegarde) issued by the Registre du commerce et des sociétés de Paris mentioned in Section 1 above, the Company is a société anonyme duly established and validly existing under the laws of France and registered with the Registre du commerce et des sociétés de Paris and the solvency certificate does not mention, as of its date of validity, any proceedings of sauvegarde, redressement judiciaire or liquidation judiciaire with respect to the Company;

 

  5.2

pursuant to the French Code de commerce and its articles of association (statuts), the Company has the corporate capacity to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and to undertake and to perform the obligations expressed to be assumed by it therein;

 

  5.3

the Company has the corporate capacity to sell such [Firm] Shares in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement;

 

  5.4

the execution (signature) of the Underwriting Agreement by the Company and the performance of its obligations thereunder have been duly authorized;

 

  5.5

the Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed (signé) by or on behalf of the Company to the extent (if any) that execution (signature) thereof by or on behalf of the Company is governed by French law;

 

  5.6

the sale of the [Firm] Shares by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized;

 

  5.7

other than those previously obtained, made or done that remain in full force and effect and those if not made, obtained or done will not, to our knowledge, adversely affect the execution or the performance of the Underwriting Agreement (and in particular, the sale of the [Firm] Shares in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement), no consent, approval, authorization, prior filing or registration from or with any French court or governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Company with respect to the Underwriting Agreement is required on or prior to the date hereof under French law in connection with the

 

C-II-6


  Underwriting Agreement, the performance of the Company’s obligations thereunder and the sale of the [Firm] Shares by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, except as referred to in the Underwriting Agreement;

 

  5.8

the execution (signature) by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement to which it is a party and the sale of the [Firm] Shares today pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement will not result in any breach or violation of the articles of association (statuts) of the Company mentioned in Section 1 or any French laws or regulations that in our experience generally apply to the offering of securities;

 

  5.9

the submission by the Company to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or United States Federal court sitting in The City of New York (the “ Specified Courts ”) over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Underwriting Agreement pursuant to Section [17(a)] of the Underwriting Agreement is a valid (pursuant to French law) and binding submission by the Company to the jurisdiction of the Specified Courts and will be recognized and given effect by French law; and

 

  5.10

the choice of the laws of the State of New York to govern the Underwriting Agreement is valid and binding upon the Company and French courts would uphold the choice of law provisions (other than with respect to the rules of private international law of the United States) set forth in Section [16] of the Underwriting Agreement in any proceedings brought against the Company in French courts, provided that the content of the relevant laws is duly evidenced and not held to be contrary to French international public policy (ordre public international français) subject to (i) article 9 of EU regulation 593/2008 of June 17, 2008 on the law applicable to contractual obligations and (ii) article 1.2(d) of the same EU regulation relating to negotiable instruments, and unless the choice of law is fraudulent;

 

  5.11

a final and conclusive judgment (the “ U.S. Judgment ”) properly obtained in the Specified Courts with respect to any suit arising out of the Underwriting Agreement would be enforceable by the French courts against the Company if the following conditions are fulfilled:

 

  (a)

such U.S. Judgment was rendered by a court having jurisdiction over the matter in accordance with the French rules of international conflicts of jurisdiction (including, without limitation, where the dispute is clearly connected to the U.S.) and French courts did not have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to the matter at issue;

 

  (b)

a sufficient relationship existed between the dispute and the jurisdiction in which the U.S. Judgment was entered, and the choice of such jurisdiction was not tainted with fraud;

 

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  (c)

fundamental rights of fairness such as service of process were fully complied by the Specified Courts rendering the U.S. Judgment;

 

  (d)

the U.S. Judgment is not contrary to the French international public policy ( ordre public international français ) (both pertaining to the merits and to the procedure of the case) or tainted with fraud;

 

  (e)

the U.S. Judgment is not irreconcilable with a judgment given in a dispute between the same parties in France, or with an earlier judgment in a third state involving the same cause of action and between the same parties provided that the earlier judgment fulfils the conditions necessary for its recognition in France; and

 

  (f)

there are no proceedings pending before French courts at the time enforcement of the judgment is sought and having the same or similar subject matter as such U.S. Judgment.

 

  5.12

There are no stamp, documentary, issuance, registration or transfer taxes or similar taxes or duties payable in France by or on behalf of the Underwriters in connection with the execution of the Underwriting Agreement and the sale of the [Firm] Shares to the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement other than the possible application of the transfer tax set forth in Article 726 of the French tax code ( Code général des impôts ) if the sale of [Firm] Shares is evidenced by a deed executed in France and a fixed registration duty ( droit fixe ) if the Underwriting Agreement is voluntarily registered in France, the non payment of which would not affect the validity of the Underwriting Agreement or the sale of the [Firm] Shares, except that the reimbursement of expenses and the payment of commissions and fees pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement may be subject to French value-added tax.

 

6.

Qualifications and observations

The opinion set out in Section 5 above is subject to the following qualifications and observations:

 

  6.1

in rendering our opinion in Section 5.1 above, we have relied without independent investigation solely on the articles of association ( statuts ) , registration certificate ( extrait K-Bis ) and the solvency certificate ( certificat négatif de redressement judiciaire - liquidation judiciaire et de procédure de sauvegarde ) of the Company mentioned in Section 1.3 above;

 

  6.2

in rendering our opinion in Section 5 above, we have relied without independent investigation solely on (i) the articles of association ( statuts ) of the Company mentioned in Section 1.2 above; (ii) the registration certificate ( extrait K-Bis ) and the solvency certificate ( certificat négatif de redressement judiciaire - liquidation judiciaire et de procédure de sauvegarde ) relating to the Company mentioned in Section 1.3 above; (iii) a

 

C-II-8


  certified copy of an extract of the minutes of the resolutions of the conseil d’administration of the Company held on March 12, 2019 mentioned in Section 1.4 above; and (iv) the Powers of Attorney mentioned in Section 1.6 above.

 

  6.3

the opinion expressed in Section 5 above is subject to the effect of ( a ) any winding-up, administration, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally including, without limitation, Livre Sixième , Des difficultés des entreprises of the French Code de commerce and the Regulation (CE) n°848/2015 of 20 May 2015 relating to insolvency proceedings, and ( b ) the priority rights of certain creditors which arise by operation of law;

 

  6.4

article R. 123-91 of the French Code de Commerce provides for the entry on the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés of insolvency proceedings which have been commenced outside France against a company pursuant to Regulation (CE) n°848/2015 of 20 May 2015 relating to insolvency proceedings, but its application in practice is as yet uncertain;

 

  6.5

the extrait K-Bis and the solvency certificate ( certificat négatif de redressement judiciaire - liquidation judiciaire et de procédure de sauvegarde ) are not conclusive as to whether the Company has been dissolved or has ceased its business or is subject to reorganization, liquidation or administration proceedings, given that such measures would not necessarily give rise to any immediate formalities at the Greffe du Tribunal de commerce of Paris and, once such formalities have been carried out, they are not necessarily recorded immediately on the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés ;

 

  6.6

the waiver of a right protected by a mandatory provision of law is only valid when the waiver is given after that right has arisen;

 

  6.7

principles concerning inter alia good faith ( bonne foi ) and abuse of rights ( abus de droit ) in the performance of contracts may operate to limit the exercise of rights and powers under the Underwriting Agreement or in certain cases may operate to impose liability on the party acting in breach of such principles;

 

  6.8

pursuant to articles 1194 and 1343-5 of the French Code civil , in particular, French courts have the power, up to a maximum of two years, to defer or otherwise reschedule payment dates, taking into account the debtor’s position ( situation ) and the creditors’ needs ( besoins ). French courts may also decide that any amount, the payment date of which is thus deferred or rescheduled, will bear interest at a rate lower than the contractual rate (but at least equal to the taux légal ) and/or that any payment made by the debtor shall first be allocated towards repayment of the principal due. A French court may subject such a decision to the need for the debtor to provide a

 

C-II-9


  security in respect of his debt. The court order stays the enforcement proceedings that might have been initiated by the creditor and penalties or further amounts, incurred due to the delay in payment, cease to be due for the duration of the period set by the court;

 

  6.9

pursuant to French law, powers of attorney ( mandats ), even if stated as irrevocable, can be revoked at any time;

 

  6.10

the remedy of specific performance ( exécution en nature ) of an obligation, other than an obligation to pay a sum of money, will not be available if (a) such specific performance is impossible or (b) there is a manifest disproportion between its cost to the debtor acting in good faith and its interest for the creditor;

 

  6.11

enforcement of obligations may be restricted by certain general principles of French law including the rules relating to force majeure or exception d ’inexécution ;

 

  6.12

the right to an indemnity under an agreement may be affected by the conduct of the person entitled to the benefit of that indemnity;

 

  6.13

a French court has a discretion under article 1231-5 of the French Code civil to decrease or increase the amount of any sum payable under the Underwriting Agreement which it classifies as damages, indemnities or penalties to the extent such sum is considered manifestly excessive ( manifestement excessive ) or insufficient ( dérisoire ) by the court; and, in the event that the Underwriting Agreement is partially performed, the court may decrease any such amount proportionally to the benefit derived by the creditor from such partial performance;

 

  6.14

we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any right to be indemnified pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement for losses incurred in connection with criminal offenses or administrative fines, and for any costs or attorney fees incurred in connection therewith;

 

  6.15

we express no opinion as to the enforceability under French law or the recognition before a French court, of any provision of the Underwriting Agreement requiring increased payments with respect to any withholding or deduction of any tax on any amounts under the Shares;

 

  6.16

notwithstanding the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the waiver and other provisions to the effect that the rights of the Underwriters against the Company shall not be affected by actions taken or not taken by the Underwriters, a French court could decline to implement these provisions if the interests of the Company have been impaired by such action or lack thereof;

 

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  6.17

a French court may remove a case to another court in the event that a dispute has been raised before courts having concurrent jurisdiction ( litispendance ) in or in the event of a relationship existing between the two cases before the two distinct jurisdictions;

 

  6.18

in the event of any proceeding being brought in a French court in respect of a monetary obligation expressed to be payable in a currency other than euros, a French court would probably give judgment as an order to pay the euros equivalent of such currency at the time of actual payment by the debtor;

 

  6.19

the provision of the Underwriting Agreement to the effect that any consent or agreement required under the Underwriting Agreement must be given in writing, may not be effective before a French court;

 

  6.20

French courts are not bound by legal characterization given by the parties to a provision of an agreement;

 

  6.21

claims may become time-barred ( prescriptible ) under the relevant provisions of French law or may be subject to the defense of set-off or counterclaim;

 

  6.22

notwithstanding any provision to the contrary under the Underwriting Agreement, a set-off ( compensation ) (other than contractual) may occur under the Underwriting Agreement and at the initiative of any of the parties to the Underwriting Agreement if the conditions for a legal set-off are met or if such conditions are not met, where the claims of one party against another are reciprocal ( réciproques ) or inter-related ( connexes ).

 

  6.23

a provision stipulating that the invalidity of any provision of an agreement will not invalidate any other provisions of such agreement may not be enforced by French courts if the court considers that such clause was an essential provision ( élément déterminant ) of the commitment of the parties collectively, or any party taken individually, to the agreement;

 

  6.24

provisions limiting or excluding liability are only effective to the extent that they do not cover gross negligence ( faute lourde ) or willful misconduct ( faute intentionnelle );

 

  6.25

a French court may refuse to give effect to or limit a contractual provision entitling one party to recover its legal and other enforcement costs and expenses from another; and

 

  6.26

for any document mentioned in Section 1 which is not originally drafted, issued and executed in the French language, the document must be translated into French by an officially sworn translator ( traducteur assermenté ) in order to be submitted as evidence ( preuve ) in any action or proceedings before a French court or public body or used for any purpose with public bodies.

 

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7.

Underwriters of the Legal Opinion

We assume no obligation to supplement this letter if the laws of France change after the day that is one business day prior to the date hereof or if we become aware of any facts that might change the opinions expressed herein at the date hereof. The opinions expressed herein are solely for the benefit of the Underwriters in relation to the Underwriting Agreement and may not be relied upon in any manner or for any purpose by any other person and may not be quoted or disclosed in whole or in part without our prior written consent.

Yours faithfully,

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER

                    , 2019

[ Name[s] of Underwriter[s] ]

[ Address[es] ]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned understands that [ Name[s] of Underwriter[s] ] (the “[ Underwriter/Managers] ”) propose[s] to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) with AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and AXA S.A., a société anonyme organized under the laws of France, providing for the public offering (the “ Public Offering ”) by the [several] Underwriter[s, including the Managers (the “ Underwriters ”),] of [ Number of Shares ] shares (the “ Shares ”) of the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”). Terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Underwriting Agreement.

To induce the Underwriter[s] that may participate in the Public Offering] to continue [its/their] efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of [[ Names of Underwriters ] on behalf of] the Underwriter[s], it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 30 days after the date of the final prospectus (the “ Restricted Period )” relating to the Public Offering (the “ Prospectus ”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)), by the undersigned or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) otherwise publicly announce any intention to enter into any transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to the following:

 

  (a)

transfers of shares of Common Stock to the Underwriter[s] pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement;

 

  (b)

transactions relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions, provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of Common Stock or other securities acquired in such open market transactions;


  (c)

transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into Common Stock as a bona fide gift, provided that each donee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter and provided further that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Restricted Period;

 

  (d)

distributions by the Selling Stockholder of shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock to its affiliates or stockholders, provided that each distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter and provided further that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Restricted Period;

 

  (e)

the transfer by the Selling Stockholder of shares of Common Stock to holders of the $862,500,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.25% mandatory exchangeable bonds issued by the Selling Stockholder on May 14, 2018 (the “Bonds”), in accordance with the exchange provisions of the Bonds;

 

  (f)

if the undersigned is an individual, transfers of shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock by will or intestacy, provided that each legatee, heir or other transferee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter and provided further that any filing made pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall include a footnote noting the circumstances described in this clause;

 

  (g)

the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Common Stock, provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of Common Stock during the Restricted Period and (ii) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the undersigned or the Company regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of Common Stock may be made under such plan during the Restricted Period;

 

  (h)

transfers by the undersigned of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock in connection with the direct or indirect acquisition of 100% of the Common Stock by a single person or “group” (within the meaning of Section


  13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), or the entry by the Selling Stockholder into an agreement providing for such a transaction, provided such transaction is approved by the Boards of Directors of the Selling Stockholder, and provided further that, if such transaction is not consummated, the underlying shares of Common Stock shall continue to be subject to the restrictions contained herein;

 

  (i)

one or more sales of shares of Common Stock to the Company, or net share settlement with the Company, to satisfy the exercise price of options, stock appreciation rights or warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to any benefit plans on the terms of such plans as described in the Time of Sale Prospectus, provided that any shares of Common Stock received upon such exercise shall be subject to all of the restrictions set forth in this agreement, provided further that no such sales or net share settlement shall result in a net reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, provided further that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with such sales or net share settlement during the first 30 days of the Restricted Period, and provided further that any filing made pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall include a footnote noting the circumstances described in this clause;

 

  (j)

one or more sales of shares of Common Stock to the Company, or net share settlement with the Company, to satisfy tax withholding or similar obligations in connection with the vesting of any equity-based awards vesting within 30 days before the end of the Restricted Period, provided that any shares of Common Stock received upon such vesting shall be subject to all of the restrictions set forth in this agreement, provided further that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with such sales or net share settlement during the first 30 days of the Restricted Period, and provided further that any filing made pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall include a footnote noting the circumstances described in this clause; or

 

  (k)

if the undersigned is a director of the Company, one or more sales of shares of Common Stock in an aggregate amount up to 50% of the number of shares of Common Stock received as compensation for service as a director to pay taxes on such shares, provided that any filing made pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall include a footnote noting the circumstances described in this clause.

In addition, the undersigned agrees that, without the prior written consent of [the Underwriter/[ Names of Underwriters ]], it will not, during the Restricted Period, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock other than the transfer by the Selling Stockholder of any shares of


Common Stock to holders of the Bonds in accordance with the exchange provisions of the Bonds, provided that the Selling Stockholder may, without the prior written consent of [the Underwriter/[ Names of Underwriters ]], make any demand for the sale of, or request to sell, all or part of its remaining shares of Common Stock pursuant to Sections 2.1 or 2.2 of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2018, between the Company and the Selling Stockholder as long as no public announcement of any such demand, request or proposed offering and sale of shares of Common Stock is made and no registration statement is filed with the Commission.

The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriter[s] are relying upon this agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.


Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company and the Underwriter[s].

 

Very truly yours,

 

(Name)

 

(Address)

Exhibit 5.1

June 4, 2019

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104

Registration Statement on Form S-3

of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”), including a base prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”), which provides that it may be supplemented by one or more prospectus supplements, relating to the offer and sale from time to time (the “ Offering ”) of up to 237,162,500 shares (the “ Shares ”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), to be sold by the selling stockholder (the “ Selling Stockholder ”) referred to in the Prospectus.

In arriving at the opinion expressed below, we have ( a ) examined and relied on the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate and other organizational documents and records of the Company and such certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and other persons as we have deemed appropriate for the purposes of such opinion, ( b ) examined and relied as to factual matters upon, and have assumed the accuracy of, the statements made in the certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and other persons delivered to us and ( c ) made such investigations of law as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for such opinion. In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have assumed, with your permission, without independent investigation or inquiry, ( i ) the authenticity and completeness of all documents that we examined, ( ii ) the genuineness of all signatures on all documents that we examined, ( iii ) the conformity to authentic originals and completeness of documents examined by us that are certified, conformed, reproduction, photostatic or other copies and ( iv ) the legal capacity of all natural persons executing documents.

 


AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.    2    June 4, 2019

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the assumptions, qualifications and limitations hereinafter set forth, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Validity of Common Stock” in the Prospectus forming a part thereof. In giving such consent, we do not concede that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

We are members of the bar of the State of New York. We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as currently in effect.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

LOGO

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. of our report dated March 8, 2019 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules, which appears in AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, NY

June 4, 2019